A third of summer holidays will be sold in January and February according to ABTA, with early bookers taking advantage of some of the travel industry’s best deals.

January 2015 has seen strong early bookings with some ABTA Members reporting ‘exceptional’ days of trading, up as much as 30-50 per cent from the same time period in 2014.

A favourable exchange rate against the Euro, which means those stocking up on currency for imminent trips can make important savings, is also helping to boost January bookings to European destinations.

Holidaymakers are making the most of deals and discounts available as well as the opportunity to ensure availability in popular resorts and destinations. Complimentary upgrades and free child places are also a popular incentive and some holiday companies offer as many as 20,000 free child places for travel in the summer.

Cuts in Air Passenger Duty may have also given a boost to bookings. The departure tax is being reduced for many longer haul destinations from April 1 and abolished for children under 12 from May 1. This will cut £142 off the price of a family holiday for two adults and two children to Florida.

It’s not just overseas holidays that are selling well. ABTA Members selling UK holidays have also reported a strong start to 2015 with bookings for the summer up as much as 27 per cent in some areas, 2014 was a good year for domestic tourism and this has encouraged more people to book early to ensure availability.