Abta has predicted a spike in holiday bookings this week after England crashed out of the World Cup and the heatwave in the UK shows signs of ending.
The trade association said past experience shows that bookings leap after the England football team’s involvement in a major tournament is ended.
But possibly more important is the ending of the longest spell of warm weather in the UK since the 1970s due to the impact good domestic weather traditionally has on overseas bookings.
Abta said holidaymakers can find guaranteed sunshine in many of the UK’s favourite Mediterranean holiday destinations.
Temperatures in Spain, Turkey and Tunisia are set to hit 30 degrees next week with uninterrupted sunshine. Temperatures in diving favourite Hurghada in Egypt are predicted to hit 40 degrees.
However Abta said it is expecting UK destinations to prove popular once again this year.
Victoria Bacon, director of brand and business development at Abta, said: “The England team has done the country proud with its performances at the World Cup.
“Understandably, many football fans preferred to stay at home and follow the team with friends and family but now people’s attention will turn to their summer holiday.
“There are still some great deals to be had from Abta members to keep the feel good factor going with a break in the sun or a holiday at home.
“They won’t last for long – so anyone wishing to head off on holiday should book sooner rather than later.”