According to a recent survey carried out by UK-based holiday operator Thomas Cook, more than half of the respondents said that they do not holiday outside the UK.

The operator analysed booking patterns through its distribution channels with an independent exit survey, which was commissioned in January 2006. The survey comprised more than 1,000 people leaving Thomas Cook outlets and 1,500 people leaving other major travel chain stores.

A total of 55 per cent of Britons surveyed still do not holiday outside the UK and 72 per cent of bookings do not include children.

Tour operators are reportedly now faster to respond to demand, so there are fewer holidays left to sell at rock-bottom prices. Consequently, booking late is becoming an increasingly risky strategy.

The survey also reported that people in south England take the most holidays, with north England coming a close second, followed by the Midlands in third place, south-west England and Wales in joint fourth place and finally Scotland.

The operator also consulted sources such as the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), target group index data from the British Market Research Bureau (BMRB) and market research company AC Nielsen, several government and company surveys as well as Hitwise – a company which measures internet usage.