More Brits go further for short breaks

Growing numbers of travellers are opting for long-haul destinations when booking a mini break, new research has revealed.

The study, carried out by Halifax, showed that more than 3.7 million Britons took a long-haul short holiday last year, clocking up a collective 5.5 billion travel miles.

Popular destinations for long-haul mini breaks included the USA - particularly New York and Los Angeles - as well as the Far East, India, Australia and the Caribbean.

This trend is set to continue in 2008, according to the report, with almost five million holidaymakers planning to take such holidays this year, particularly in light of improved inflight entertainment facilities and the rise of exotic hen and stag parties, as well as overseas weddings.

"Better airline quality, the lure of winter sun, favourable exchange rates and cheaper long-haul flights has created a boom in demand for long-haul mini breaks, with millions of us enduring long flights for a weekend break on the other side of the globe," commented Paul Birkhead of Halifax.

Last year, research by Alliance & Leicester indicated that an increasing number of over-50s seek to explore long-haul holiday destinations.

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