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09 September 2014 10:39
Many Britons choose early September to book their next holiday abroad
The travel industry was bracing itself for a rush on bookings as Britons banished the 'end-of-summertime blues' by snapping up their next break abroad.
Holiday bookings were expected to peak on Monday (September 8), which was dubbed Travel Blue Monday.
The anticipated sales boost was said to be prompted by people returning to work and school after the summer break and the prospect of the shorter autumn days to come and the colder, wetter weather they're likely to bring with them.
Of course, people booking holidays should also remember to arrange travel insurance.
And the phenomenon is not a new one with Monarch Airlines saying sales have also rocketed during early September in previous years.
The airline says sales can soar by as much as 30% with almost half (45%) of those booking seeking to escape the UK autumn and find some late sunshine by taking their holiday over the next few weeks.
Meanwhile, a fifth of people say they choose to book next year's summer holiday at this time of year so they can look forward to it over the winter.
According to Monarch Airlines, record numbers were expected to be making their travel arrangements on September 8.
More than half (52%) were set to book week-long getaways while more than 15% were poised to arrange holidays of 10 days or more. Around 12% meanwhile are likely to be booking a short break away from the UK.
And the end of the summer weather seems to be the prime motivation for people booking a break abroad on Travel Blue Monday. Less than one in 10 (7%) of the holidays being booked were likely to be for destinations not known for the sunshine they offer, with the most popular spots including Sharm-El-Sheik in Egypt and Spain, including the Canary Islands and the Balearics.
Monarch Airlines' retail and online head, Ian Chambers, says the return to work after the summer holidays can be a harsh reality check for many people, prompting them to book their next break abroad.
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