The May Bank Holiday is a time when many people get away and enjoy their time off work before the big summer rush. ABTA estimated around 100,000 fewer travellers ventured abroad this year.

Figures this year show that 1.8 million people have booked to go abroad this year; only 0.1 million less than last year.

Spain is the most popular getaway destination, in particular the Balearics and the Canaries. Egypt and Turkey have also become increasingly popular.

City Breaks are also popular choices and the lower prices to America have enticed a lot of people, especially families.

385,000 people are expected to depart from Heathrow, 220,000 from Gatwick, 120,000 from Stansted and 30,000 from Luton. A further 130,000 are expected to depart from Manchester.

ABTA has said that in spite of the recession, these are reassuring figures and proves that people are still not letting anything get in the way of their holidays.