Britons are increasingly seeing holidays as essentials rather than luxuries, it has been claimed.

According to Chris Nourse of technology firm Multicom, the fact that holiday sales continue to be strong despite the ongoing credit crunch reflects the theory that overseas breaks are becoming more of a must-have for consumers, TravelMole reports.

Research by the company has shown that holiday bookings in the first quarter of 2008 rose by 40 per cent, in spite of the rising cost of housing, food, taxes and transport.

"Years ago, holidays abroad were seen as a luxury for the few who could afford them," Mr Nourse remarked.

"Now, it seems they are being seen more and more as an essential which people refuse to give up just because they have less money in their pocket after paying their other bills."

Earlier this year, research by Holiday Inn found that growing numbers of Britons are taking frequent short breaks throughout the year rather than one long holiday in the summer, with one of the main reasons for doing so being the relatively cheaper cost of shorter getaways.

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