The recession has led to a sharp decline in the number of summer holiday bookings this year, the travel industry umbrella group ANVR said on Monday.

While bookings to the end of July were down 9% overall, long-haul holidays were hardest hit with a 24% decline in reservations, the organisation said.
Plane-based holidays in Europe saw a 14% decline. The number of people booking car-based holidays was down 3%.