Britons hoping to jet off for a well earned break this winter in order to hit the slopes on their skis and snowboards have been offered a number of cost-cutting tips by one sector commentator.

Serena Cowdy, writing on the online pages of Fool.co.uk, said that it was possible for winter sports fans to spend under £500 per person and still have the trip of a lifetime.

Holidaymakers in the UK are unlikely to sacrifice their annual vacation, but may now be on the lookout for alternative destinations in order to get the most for their money, one sector commentator has claimed.

Frances Tuke, a spokesperson for the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), explained that Britons were keen to safeguard their once a year getaway and that factors such as the euro and dollar exchange rates would have an effect on where they went.

Lanzarote is set apart when it comes to vacation destinations as it has a good climate all year round and a dramatic volcanic landscape, one sector commentator has claimed.

Amanda Ellis, contracts manager for alpharooms.com, said that the island had plenty of tourist attractions that holidaymakers may wish to visit and was only 20 minutes from neighbouring Fuerteventura, meaning travellers could explore both in one visit.

The rate of exchange is becoming an increasingly important factor for people choosing where they will travel to for a holiday this year, one sector commentator has claimed.

Julian Neal, global marketing director at Travelex, said he predicted that two long-haul destinations that were likely to see healthy visitor numbers were Australia and South Africa, as these were both countries where the pound had been performing well.

New York is the ultimate city for Britons looking for a unique way to banish the winter blues, one sector commentator has claimed.

Tom Hall, travel editor at Lonely Planet, said that the Big Apple had far more to offer travellers than shopping alone and should not simply be seen as the domain of the super rich.

Cheap flights to Geneva could be the starting point for a holiday that caters for all the family - skiers and non-skiers alike.

The resort of Saas-Fee can provide a balanced mix of runs for beginners and more experienced skiers, while also catering for those that are not interested in hitting the slopes.

As the festive season fast approaches, many Britons may be contemplating a Christmas with a difference this year.

Such individuals may be pleased to hear that a trip for a traditional US Christmas in New York will afford them a whole host of different ice-skating events to take part in - whether they are wobbly on their feet or a Torvill and Dean-style pro.

Holidaymakers and business travellers planning to jet off to the United States have been warned that they will soon have to apply for permission to enter its borders 72 hours in advance of flying.

According to the online resource TravelMole, airlines will now be required to comply with the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation, which will become mandatory on January 12th 2009.

Ski resorts across Europe and in the US are set to open their doors early to winter sports fans this year.

According to online resource TravelMole, the move has followed heavy snowfalls across Austria, France, Italy, Switzerland and Scandinavia, as well as parts of North America.

Britons planning to hit the slopes for a spot of skiing or snowboarding this winter have been advised to keep in mind that they will have to pay extra baggage fees for their equipment.

J Parry, writing on the online pages of Snowbrainer, said travellers should always check how much it would cost to stash their skis and snowboard before they jet off and that they should also ensure there will be space on the carrier for them.

Britons hoping to enjoy some winter sports over the coming months by hitting the slopes for a snowboarding session have been advised to book their trip last minute in order to save money.

Derek Larney, writing on the online pages of Trinity News, said that holidaymakers who are not fussy about their destination but simply want to get on with snowboarding should wait and see if any bargains come up.

Britons are feeling more and more stressed and run-down and may be in need of a well-earned vacation, it has been suggested.

According to PR Log, the research by Friends Provident revealed that 61 per cent of people feel under pressure and are now more prone to illness.

Sarah Harding, member of the award-winning Brit pop band Girls Aloud, has admitted that she longs for a life in the Spanish sun.

According to the La Manga Club website, the singer is hunting for a new pad in Marbella, an up-market resort.

Despite having months to get the running of Heathrow's Terminal 5 right, its operator British Airways (BA) failed to do so.

Such is the opinion of a spokesperson for The Air Transport Users Council (AUC), who was responding to recent criticism of the facility by a group of MPs.

Britons who are planning to hit the ski slopes over the coming months should ensure that they have purchased the cover they need before they jet off, one sector commentator has claimed.

Kelly Ostler-Coyle, spokesperson for the Association of British Insurers, said being taken ill and needing medical treatment or breaking expensive equipment can end up being costly for holidaymakers.

The number of young people planning on taking a gap year to travel before beginning a degree course is falling, it has been claimed.

An article in the Guardian yesterday (November 5th) noted that such trips had become a rite of passage for many, but rising living costs are now putting many students off having such an overseas experience.

Britons are now less likely to collect travel brochures when planning a holiday, preferring to research a trip online instead, a new poll has found.

According to online resource Travelmole, the survey by the webTV travel site Holiday '09 found that six out of ten adults no longer request the traditional vacation leaflet.

Britons have been advised to shop around when it comes to securing skiing and winter sports cover, as prices tended to vary.

Graeme Trudgill, technical and corporate affairs executive at the British Insurance Brokers' Association, said holidaymakers should speak to their insurance broker, who may be able to find a provider who would not double the price of an extension.

Fuerteventura, one of the Canary Islands, may be the perfect location to enjoy a relaxing Christmas with a twist this year.

The Mirror has compiled a list of the top destinations to visit this festive season and claims that the island offers the chance for relaxing on the beach and soaking up the sun, away from the grey skies of a traditional British Christmas.

Holidaymakers looking for a bargain break on the slopes have been advised to schedule a trip between January and March.

Iain Mayhew, writing on the online pages of the Mirror, explained that this period would not clash with a festive season of half-term breaks.