Abta’s Travel Trends 2019 report shows forward sales of packages and accommodation looking healthy and a resurgence of the trusted travel expert, with 45% of 2,000 consumers interviewed saying they felt more confident in booking with a travel professional.

The weak pound prompted 60% to say they booked a package this year because it was the best option for the price. Another key trend is that more than a third – 36% - said they would opt for one travel business over another if its environmental record was better. This compares with 23% saying this in 2014.

The report tips 12 destinations to watch in 2019. Victoria Bacon, Abta director of brand and business development, said the destinations were all readily accessible from the UK and all represented value for money.

They include Bulgaria, whose ancient city of Plovdiv is a European Capital of Culture next year; Durban, which will be linked with a new British Airways flight and Jordan, which has new easyJet and Ryanair services to its Red Sea region.

“Holidaymakers are increasingly looking to make their money go further and many of the destinations we’ve highlighted do just that, whether it is the abundance of flight routes or favourable exchange rate,” she said.

Abta also tips Japan as a hot 2019 destination, with the Rugby World Cup taking place next autumn and new BA flights launching to Osaka next spring.

Another tip is Madeira, which is changing its image from mainly an older persons’ destination to an adventure and activities centre. Poland is also on the list, as it is now served by more direct UK flights than mainland Spain.