Britons 'spending 13% more on holidays'

Holiday spending in the UK has gone up by 13 per cent in the last year, it has been revealed.

According to TUI Travel, the increase has not been fuelled by factors such as the rising price of oil.

Instead, the firm has attributed it the growing desire among Britons to upgrade their holiday plans, despite the current financial climate.

Peter Long, chief executive of TUI, commented: "It's not all cost [iincreases].

"It's a mixture, with customers trading up, which is a positive trend."

Mr Long said concerns about a possible recession have been very "depressing" for people in the UK.

Therefore, consumers feel as if they need a main holiday in order to "recharge their batteries".

This echoes the findings of tour operator Thomas Cook, which has also found that people are continuing to travel abroad.

Manny Fontenla-Novoa, chief executive of the firm, said this shows the importance which British people place on their holidays.