The results of a new study, conducted by the UK’s fastest growing online independent travel agent, have shown that the 2011 travel plans of British holidaymakers have been somewhat affected by the extra bank holiday this Easter; added to the calendar thanks to the impending Royal wedding.

sunshine.co.uk conducted the research in order to discover more about holidaymakers’ plans for 2011, after noticing a rise in bookings for Easter breaks, when compared to the same time last year. 1,825 British holidaymakers were subsequently polled, each asked questions surrounding their travel plans for this year.

Just over half, 54%, of those taking part had already booked a holiday for 2011, whilst 6% had already been on a trip abroad this year. A further quarter, 24%, of respondents were planning to book a 2011 holiday, whilst the remaining respondents had no plans to travel abroad this year.

Of those who had already booked a holiday, 21% claimed to have swapped their usual summer break for an Easter-time holiday this year. When asked why they had done so, 89% explained that it was in order to take advantage of the longer May bank holiday made available by the Royal wedding in April, meaning that less time would be required off work for a longer break.

In contrast, 7% of those who had booked an Easter break instead of one in summer claimed it was in order to ‘get a better deal.’

A further third, 29%, of total respondents said that they had, or planned, to book time off work in April to take advantage of the consecutive 4 day Bank Holiday weekends, whilst 3% of respondents admitted that they thought the extra Bank Holiday granted by David Cameron was ‘unnecessary.’

Online travel agency sunshine.co.uk has noticed a 41% increase in holiday bookings over Easter 2011 when compared to the same time last year, suggesting that people are opting for an earlier break to take advantage of the bank holidays.

Chris Brown, co-founder of sunshine.co.uk, commented on the findings: “People would be wise to take advantage of the long break on offer from the extra Bank Holiday this year. By taking just several days holiday, you can enjoy about 10 days off work and it’s not often you can do that!

“Many people have evidently clicked on to the idea and are going to be jetting off for sun, sea and sand instead of sticking around for the Royal wedding. We have some fantastic last minute deals for those wishing to spend Easter abroad, but we’d recommend people get in there fast and book the time off, before everyone else in the office leaves you holding the fort!”