Gloomy weather is key factor in the number of travellers going abroad

The fall of the pound against the euro, the cost of a foreign holiday, increased checks at the airport, recession and apprehension over employment and the prospect of a good summer led to many holidaymakers declaring their intention to stay in this country in an effort to cut down on costs. Greece and Spain were thought to be hit the worst by the stay at home Brit.

For many years the British have underpinned tourism in most European countries however, the amount travelling abroad for 2008 fell by 9% and by 21% in the first quarter of 2009. Travel companies had already allowed for this downturn but the decline seen in the first quarter was higher than expected with the British deciding to stay in the UK. This was thought to be the year where the British would spend it in the UK and break the trend to go abroad as a must.

Counting on the English weather is never a good idea and the gamble unfortunately, has come up well short, with many a holiday a complete disaster. The rosy English garden was turned into a sodden mess and all the upbeat comments about the motives for holidays in the UK are now looking a little overdone. Weather costs nothing but if the rain never stops the only other option is to stay indoors and to entertain the family, day after day costs money.

The terrible weather has obviously meant a surge in overseas bookings for August with cheap holidays especially in Spain being snapped up. Because of this torrent of late bookings holidaymakers from the southeast are advised to book their Gatwick parking or Heathrow hotel parking as early as possible to guarantee a space or a room. If travelling from the north car parking spaces and hotel rooms will be quickly taken and so secure your Airport parking Luton as quckly as possible to avoid disappointment.