BALEARICS TOPS FOR BRITISH THIS EASTER...

By Humphrey Carter A record number of 1.8 million people have left Britain for Easter and the Balearics is one of the most popular destinations. According to the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta), the Canary Islands, mainland Spain, Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Turkey are the most popular Easter getaway spots for short–haul travellers. For those going further afield, Florida and the Caribbean are proving popular while the top Easter city break destinations are Amsterdam, Dublin, Barcelona, Prague, Venice, Rome and Madrid. More than one million passengers are expected to depart from UK airports over the long weekend, with 800'000 leaving from the seven BAA–owned airports which include Heathrow and Gatwick. In addition, more than half a million are expected to make Channel crossings. Abta's president Stephen Bath said: “The travel industry has gone through a very difficult period in the last few months. “However, I am delighted to see that holidaymakers have not allowed the current situation to put them off taking a well–earned break this Easter and are travelling in greater numbers than ever.”