Travellers looking closer to home

A growing number of Britons considering making an international payment and emigrating might consider looking closer to home, rather than searching out exotic locations, it has been suggested.

According to online travel company Expedia, closer-to-home destinations in Europe are providing Britons with short budget breaks despite the strong euro.

The move could also see more Britons who are thinking of emigrating choose a location in Europe, because quick and easy transport links with the UK mean it is easier for them to return home to see friends and family.

Figures from Expedia's Travel Hotspots Barometer found seven of the ten destinations featured were less than a three-hour flight away from the UK.

"With deals available for under £200 per person, these locations deliver all important short haul budget breaks for Brits," explained Jonathan Cudworth, head of product marketing at Expedia.

Spain is the most popular destination accounting for nearly three in ten holidays (27 per cent) in 2007 and over 12 million visits, data from the Office for National Statistics has shown.

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By John Mills