Research from a poll of 1,926 consumers found that short-haul destinations outside the Eurozone, such as Croatia, were proving popular, although the association tipped Spain and Portugal to remain in demand due to the move away from north Africa, with Italy and Cyprus also “strong”. It added that Cape Verde and Mexico were also selling well.

In its 2016 market overview, Abta said overall the summer holiday market this year was up 5% compared with 2015, with the big winners named as Portugal up 23%, Spain 20% and Cyprus 17%.

Looking ahead to 2017, Abta estimates that early sales will be up 11%, which it believes may be due to the 2016 capacity squeeze prompting some early bookings.

The association predicts city breaks will remain popular next year – 53% of those surveyed took one in 2016 compared with 38% of people who took a beach holiday.

However it predicted that with new aircraft such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 making longer journeys more comfortable, city breaks could have more of a long-haul focus. It added: “Thomson Holidays launched city breaks to New York, Las Vegas and Singapore at the end of 2016, so the trend looks set to continue.”

Elsewhere the research found that technology was enabling consumers to “try before they fly”, with operators using online and shop technology to enable customers to experience their hotel and destination before they travel, and to build itineraries.

Interviews were conducted in the year to August, which takes in the period after the Brexit vote. Abta said the result of the EU referendum had yet to fully affect travel patterns, with 24% planning to spend more on holidays in 2017 and just 16% saying they would spend less.

These figures are almost identical to the association’s 2015 Travel Trends report, with 23% then intending to spend more in the coming year, and only 15% saying they would spend less.

Cruise is set to have another good year in 2017, with 13% of holidaymakers planning to take to the high seas. Vessels where the pound is the onboard currency will be popular, as will those offering all-inclusive.

Another prediction is that the Middle East will see more cruise passengers following a period of strong investment, with, for example, the new Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal making an impact.

One sure bet for 2017 looks to be the inbound market, which Abta expects will see a boost spurred on by the weak pound. However this might also convince some to take a domestic break instead of travelling overseas.

A total of 71% of people took a domestic holiday in 2016 compared with 64% in 2015, signalling a return to numbers previously seen in the 2012 Olympic year.