Planning ahead could help families get better deals on their holidays according to the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO).
According to a spokesperson for the organisation, people are booking holidays well in advance to try and cut the cost. A number of reports suggest that the price of an average family getaway has risen by up to £400.
This has been attributed to a lack of holiday deals available, the rising cost of fuel and the strength of the pound.
A survey by ebookers shows that 51 per cent of people who took part in the survey were booking their holidays early because of the credit crunch.
More than half of people in the Travel Opinion Report see taking a holiday as important or an absolute must, with 12 per cent saying they consider it a luxury.
Kayak has surveyed 1,000 of its customers since June and 90 per cent of those who responded said taking at least one holiday per year is one of the five most important things that contribute to them being happy.
In related news, the Times reported that travel company Thomas Cook have said that 'trading remained resilient' this month, saying people in the UK still see their summer holiday as a necessity rather than a luxury.
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