Australia tipped to top long-haul bookings

Holiday bookings for Australia are set to see a 17 per cent increase this year, according to a new poll.

The survey of independent travel agents by field marketing firm The Network showed that Australia is expected to top the list of the most popular long-haul bookings in 2008, TravelMole reports.

Other far-flung destinations predicted to rise in popularity this year included Dubai and the USA. Greece came out on top as the short-haul destination most likely to enjoy the biggest rise in bookings, followed by Italy and Spain.

"The prospects for 2008 holiday bookings through the trade are hugely encouraging," commented The Network business development director Paula Lacey.

According to a report released by the Association of British Travel Agents in December, bookings for 2008 holidays in Turkey, Egypt, Portugal and the USA have already seen significant increases compared with last year.

• British Airways boss underlines Heathrow Airport importance
• Emirates completes move to new terminal in Dubai
• New US airport runways welcomed
• New campaign invites holidaymakers to Paris
• Tokyo 'the world's culinary capital'
• Observation wheel to open in Melbourne
• Visitors offered Christmas bonuses in Brussels
• Stansted Airport eco-certification extended to 2011
• United Airlines to resume flights from London to Denver
• Travellers invited to Australia's cinematic destinations