Amidst the weakening of pound and the unprecedented soaring of oil prices, the cost of holidays for the residents of UK is expected to rise next year up to not less than £70 per person as the condition of present times continue to affect the tour operators.

According to the prediction by Roger Allard, chairman of the All Leisure Group, a 10-15% increase in package holiday costs can be expected in 2009, as most major tour companies are reducing capacity. He observed, "If the big tour operators have hedged fuel and currency, with the increases in hotel costs, they will need to increase prices by £70 on mainstream package holidays."

He too said that the average selling prices for holidays during late summer 2008 are up to £100 higher than last year. According to the report published by Thomas Cook during last week, the average selling prices for 2008 is expected to increase by 5% on last year, in addition to 19% fewer holidays on offer.

In the year 2009, consumers are likely to feel a greater pressure on disposable ¬income. This means that fewer people will travel abroad. Allard added, "Some demand will fall off and mainstream operators will cut back.

Commercial and product director at Cosmos Tours Stuart Jackson, noted, "People who take two holidays a year or weekend breaks, which could be deemed a luxury, are most likely to come out of the market, which will probably affect low-cost carriers."

Owner of Miles Morgan Travel, Miles Morgan, said, "It's not doom and gloom and hopefully it will educate people to book early."