Holidays-direct.co.uk predicts Algarve holidays will be favourites with Britons this summer

Brits favour holiday hot spot Algarve for summer 2008, according to a study of top search holiday terms by online travel agency Holidays-Direct.co.uk.

Britons searching for holidays online since the start of 2008 have been looking for more information on the Algarve than other popular summer holiday destinations, new research leading by online travel agency Holidays-Direct.co.uk reveals.

Analysis of search terms and page views by a leading online travel agency confirms that this summer the Algarve looks set to see many British tourists coming to their holiday resorts.

Portugal’s long, varied coastline, sunny climate, and its laidback lifestyle have made it a sought after holiday destination for several decades and this year looks like being a bumper year for the Algarve.

It is a popular destination both for family holidays and for couples of all ages looking to take a break in the sun.

Jon Pearce from Holidays-Direct.co.uk explains: “With some of Europe’s most attractive and cleanest golden, sandy beaches, exceptional landscapes and year round sunshine, the Algarve is quite rightly a holiday hot spot for British tourists looking for some sun. “

“The Algarve’s lively nightlife, café culture and family orientated attractions make this the perfect destination for everyone.”

He continues:” The increased interest our customers are showing in the Algarve reflects that the place not only offers many things to do, but is also a relatively cheap holiday option.”

Prices for holidays in Algarve resorts Praia Da Rocha and Albufeira start at only £131 per person for 10 days.

The low fare finder for cheap holidays in the Algarve and other destinations can be found on http://www.holidays-direct.co.uk.

Other destinations that are also enjoying a significant rise in internet searches include Egypt (especially for holidays in the Red Sea area), following closely by Greece.

Along with Portugal, those destinations look set to see a surge in bookings for this summer season.

The top holiday destination on www.holidays-direct.co.uk and www.citybreaks-direct.co.uk *

1/ Algarve
2/ Egypt
3/ Greece
4/ Costa del sol
5/ Canaries
6/ Malta
7/ Cyprus
8/ Madeira
9/ Tenerife
10/ Turkey

* These results are based an analysis of the top search phrases used by visitors to www.holidays-direct.co.uk and www.citybreaks-direct.co.uk, both organic (natural) visitors and those generated by Pay-Per-Click online advertising; combined with the most viewed pages on both sites, from 1st January 2008 and 1st April 2008.

About online travel agency Holidays-direct.co.uk:

Online travel agency www.holidays-direct.co.uk is part of the Midlands Co-operative Society Group and is a member of ABTA. They specialize in providing affordable flights and accommodation in the top holiday destinations around the world.

Midlands Co-op Travel, incorporating Ilkeston Co-op Travel, is the No 1 independent travel agent in the Midlands.