An increasing number of Britons could be set to go on short city breaks, it has been suggested.

According to the Post Office the looming recession will cause more people to reduce their expenditure and where they may have once gone on a vacation either a week or a fortnight long they are now instead opting to go on holidays which are shorter in length. It was stated that this is a similar situation to that which followed Black Monday of October 1987 when many began to visit places such as Prague and Barcelona for short breaks rather than lengthy excursions in an attempt to lessen financial concerns.

Among the destinations predicted to be popular this year are cities in eastern Europe including Krakow, Riga, Tallinn and Dubrovnik.

For those looking for a competitive way to finance a break, taking out a low-rate personal loan may prove to be of assistance.

Helen Warburton, head of travel for the Post Office, said: “It’s all about cost. After Black Monday many people had to cut back on expenditure and there was a strong growth trend in two or three night short breaks. It was much cheaper to go on two or more breaks during the year than to take a two-week holiday. With a credit crunch widely forecast, UK holidaymakers may well follow the same route this year.

“In the 80s there were two significant factors in the expansion of city breaks. The emergence of low cost carriers and a big increase in flights from regional airports brought many more cities within easy reach. With expanding services from a greater number of low cost carriers today, UK holidaymakers now have even more choice.”

Research from the firm also revealed that Paris is currently the most popular city break destination for Britons, with the French capital retaining its status from 20 years ago. It was claimed that Disneyland Paris’ 15th anniversary celebrations and the enhanced transport links put in place by the opening of the London St Pancras station are set to maintain high visitor interest in the city over the course of 2008.

Ms Warburton added that as living costs in eastern European cities are often cheaper in comparison to the west of the continent, the expense of meals, souvenirs and other areas of tourist spending should also be lower. It was also claimed that taking breaks within the eurozone may also provide savings, as sterling has fallen by 11 per cent against the euro during the last 12 months.

For consumers looking for an effective way to finance the holiday of a lifetime, taking out a personal loan may be of assistance. In doing so, borrowers may be able to quickly meet the various expenses that going away can entail, leaving them with affordable repayments to make each month. Cheap loans may also be helpful to those wishing to treat their partner to a luxurious break. Earlier this year, research carried out by moneysupermarket showed that the average man spends 1,326 pounds per annum on their loved one in areas such as meals out, special holidays, flowers and anniversary presents. Women, on the other hand, splash out a typical 659 pounds.

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