From Bolton to Bali

Mintel's Family Holidays Survey revealed that UK families spend £15bn a year on holidays, including 12 million packages of four nights or more. The figure should rise this year, unless a housing crash cuts spending power.

The average family spends £1,830 on holidays each year, with grandparents taking grandchildren on holiday a big growth area.

Another is short breaks in Britain and abroad. Across the UK, says Mintel, half of all employees take two short breaks a year, 32 per cent take three and nearly 25 per cent help themselves to four or more.

Britain's 2004 tally of 26 million overseas visitors is a record, and with UK residents spending £27bn a year on overnight stays in Britain, total UK earnings from tourism will climb from £76bn today to £100bn by 2010, creating another 600,000 jobs.

If you've got the travel bug, here are 20 key trends to take note of for 2005:

1. CROATIA SURGING IN EUROPEAN SHORT-HAUL

The 30 per cent rise in the number of British visitors to Croatia in 2004 to 180,000 is a sign of things to come.

Thomson, the UK's biggest operator, says Croatia is ''the Mediterranean as it once was'' and 15 UK operators already compete with Thomson to take tourists. Flights start at only £159.

If the area appeals, ask Balkan Holidays (01232 246795) about near-neighbours Montenegro, Slovenia and Romania.

2. LONG-HAUL GETTING COMFORTABLE AT LAST

The success of Excel Airways with roomier jets for long flights - notably to India this winter with operators like Somak - is being copied by the big boys.

First Choice Airways promise a seat pitch of 33 inches on their Boeing 767s, beating the economy classes of BA and Virgin, and widescreen seatback TVs on jets to Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean.

By 2009, First Choice will offer non-stop flights to Hawaii as the first British operator of the new Boeing 7E7 aircraft, a plane designed to beat jet lag by providing better-quality air.

3. A GREEK FIGHTBACK

Mainland Greece and nearby islands took a pounding during last summer's Olympics, with visitor numbers falling by eight per cent. Greece will bounce back with upmarket hotels, better quality villas and new locations.

Upmarket Simpson Travel (020 8392 5852) offers private nannies, luxury welcome food packs, chefs on request and special interest themes like painting, walking, culture, food and wine.

As for in-demand locations, Linda Hearn at Filoxenia (01422 375999) suggests Chios, Samos, Peloponnese, Evia, Sifnos, Kefalonia, Crete, Corfu, Gulf of Corinth and lesser-known islands like Kythira and Ithaca.

Award-winning Laskarina (01629 822203) recommends Alonissos and Samos, from both Gatwick and Manchester.

4. A RUSH TO MOZAMBIQUE

Even before Prince Harry chose the paradise isle of Bazaruto to 'romp' with girlfriend Chelsy Davy, neighbouring Mozambique was tipped as a 'new' destination for 2005 by top long-haul operator Kuoni (01306 747008).

Witney Travel (01993 771555) claims to be the only UK operator with a dedicated programme to Mozambique and the Bazaruto Archipelago, which will be useful for HRH if he goes back.

Meanwhile Kuoni chief executive Sue Biggs says: ''The whole of Southern Africa is opening up to repeat and first time travellers. Mozambique, off the market for years, adds an exciting off-the-beaten track destination to our portfolio.''

5. EURO MOBILE HOME HOLIDAYS SMARTENING UP

Haven Europe, the leading owner/operator of holiday parks in France, Spain and Italy, has been sold to management, with venture capital backing and big plans for growth.

Mobile home holidays used to be largely about bargain prices. Haven, carrying 115,000 holidaymakers each year and having 3,500 holiday homeowners, will start a revamp by re-branding eight parks in France under the name Siblu.

It means new kids' clubs activities, themed breaks for adults and extensive sporting facilities including Soccer Schools and RYA approved sailing, windsurfing and power-boating courses.

Haven info: 0870 242 7777 or visit www.siblu.com

6. THE CRUISING BOOM GATHERING PACE

More than a million Brits go cruising each year, but demand is still far below US levels. With growing demand for UK departures, P&O's new Arcadia, which sets off on its maiden Mediterranean voyage on April 14, is a boost for cruise fans seeking more UK departures.

Bargain hunters might be more excited by MyTravel's launch of The Cruise Store (0870 191 3705 or at 650 Going Places branches), chasing seven per cent of the market in year one. Expect fierce price wars with CruiseControl (0870 033 9876).

7. WILL THE DASH FROM THE EUROZONE BACKFIRE?

Operators with burned fingers from Greece last summer are offering better value short-haul destinations outside the Eurozone. Bulgaria and Tunisia are firmly tipped by Portland Holidays Direct (0870 500 2200), while Croatia, Turkey and Egypt also look good.

However, over capacity in some places - particularly Egypt - could see prices sag before midsummer.

8. POSSIBLE FAILURES OF 'NO FRILLS' AIRLINES

More than a dozen low cost airlines have gone in two years, and experts fear the carnage across Europe in the coming months could continue.

Italy's Volare and Poland's Air Polonia, which operated six routes into Stansted, sank ignominiously in recent weeks while EUjet, based at Kent International Airport, struggles on.

9. TOP SMALL TRAVEL FIRMS GETTING ONLINE

Members of The Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) reckon themselves a cut above mass market operators. The price of a summer holiday with a member firm is usually about 20 per cent above the average, but quality is good and AITO's bonding scheme is the best around.

Until 2004, AITO published a directory listing all member firms. In 2005 it will no longer fall out of the weekend papers, because the list will go online for next summer on www.aito.co.uk

For a general introduction to the world of online travel - airlines, hotels, booking car hire and checking currency rates and the rest - get the Rough Guide to Travel Online by Sam Cook and Greg Ward. Published in June 2004 by Penguin, it costs £6.99 in good bookshops.

10. THE 'AFFLUENT GREYS' OPERATORS SQUARING UP

Travelsphere's acquisition of Page & Moy pitches it into a head-on clash with recently-sold Saga, and both intend to carry the greater number of passengers aged over 45.

Britain's growing army of the 'early retired' looks certain to benefit, whichever way this particular tussle goes.

Info: Travelsphere (0800 191418); Saga (0800 056 5880).

11. 'HEALTH' TOURS GETTING A BOOST

South Africa's plastic surgeons want a slice of London's booming business, so Cape Town-based Mediscapes Surgery Abroad is the only new travel firm promising to have ''surgeons waiting for you at your table''.

Breast enlargements cost up to £5,000 in London but only £1,635 in Cape Town. The sightseeing is better, too.

Information: Mediscapes (Surgery Abroad): +27 (0) 21 422 3932. UK-based operator: ebookers.com.(0870 814 6016).

12. BRAZIL GETTING BUSY

Thomson says new direct charter flights in 2005/6 augur well for the new resort of Natal, in north-eastern Brazil. It is closer than some Caribbean destinations, with amazing beaches, bottles of beer for 30p, huge meals for £3.50 and a "vibrant culture of music, food and drink".

Seven-night luxury coach trips through North-Eastern Brazil with Sunvil Latin America (020 8758 4774) start at £213, including seven nights' accommodation.

13. CHANNEL FERRY PRICE WARS CONTINUING

Cross-Channel ferries saw profit margins cut by over-capacity in 2004. A repeat is likely in 2005.

Hoverspeed already offers returns - any sailing, any day throughout 2005 - of £49 for a car and up to five passengers for visitors to www.hoverspeed.co.uk

The problem for travellers is that ferry deals oblige them to book accommodation early, perhaps before prices fall in that sector.

14. TRAVEL GOING GREEN

'Responsible tourism', a key phrase for travel in 2005, protects locals trapped in the middle of tourist trails.

Says Roger Diski, director of Rainbow Tours: ''People are far more aware of the need for tourism to have a positive impact on inhabitants and environments in countries tourists visit.''

Rainbow's mountain bike safari in north-western Namibia is an example of new-style travel, with cyclists escorted by local cycling legend Tokkie Bombosch.

Meanwhile, the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) has launched a Responsible Travel Charter, which aims to shield animals from tourism's worst effects.

Information: Rainbow (020 7226 1004); WSPA (020 7587 5000).

15. SEABRITAIN

The 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar means celebrations along our coasts, with London events including regattas, historic recreations, Nelson's waterborne funeral and celebratory Trafalgar Dinners.

16. CRUISING TO A SPECTACULAR SUNSET

Chicago-based geriatrician Lee Lindquist reckons luxury liners offer superior amenities to many old folks' homes - meals, housekeeping, laundry, hair-dressing, possibly a dinner escort and an impressive staff-client ratio.

Some old folk, she says, should sell possessions and homes to hit the high seas for the rest of their days. And the views are better, too

Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas quotes old folk around £20,000 for a year's berth, reports The Economist, but British-based cruise firms might be too keen on building a youthful image for cruising to follow suit in 2005.

17. THE ARRIVAL OF 'DYNAMIC PACKAGING'

The concept of letting clients book accommodation, flights and car hire separately is, many travel agents believe, the only way to see their business grow, although they reject suggestions the package market is already dead on its feet.

Websites active in this sector include hotelbeds.com (First Choice), roomsandhotels.com (Thomas Cook), lowcostbeds.com and somewhere2stay.com (Cosmos).

The concept works well enough for city and short breaks. But it is making limited headway in the ski market, and might struggle in other sectors where customers might need help if things go wrong.

18. THE YEAR OF THE TRAIN

Ian Macbeth, director of Great Rail Journeys, says: ''Settling into a reserved seat on Eurostar and letting the journey unfold has to be one of the most relaxing ways to start at holiday.''

With Madrid-Seville the fastest rail service in the world, faster even than the TGV, and a new line soon between Madrid and Barcelona, Great Rail Journeys (01904 521940) expects strong demand for its 14-day Iberia Express escorted trip via Barcelona, Seville, Madrid, Toledo, San Sebastian and Bilbao (all first class). Trips start in mid-April from £1,790.

Flight Centre (0870 499 0042) offers seven different train journeys through India from £390, not including flights.

Closer to home, Orient Express will buy half the shares in the Royal Scotsman in April 2005, and the rest within three years.

To select your train holiday of a lifetime, get a copy of Extraordinary Railway Journeys, by Tom Savio and Anthony Lambert, published by New Holland in November 2004 (£29.99).

19. HOME BOOKING CATCHING ON

Travel agents working by themselves in their own front room - or your front room if you invite them over - are reckoned to be selling over £250m worth of holidays each year. Market leader Travel Counsellors, recruiting agents across the UK with a minimum four years' experience of working in a high street agency, says turnover is climbing by 35 per cent per year and it plans to sell over £160m worth of travel in 2005.

Customers like the personal service, which promises independent advice linked to no single operator. The average booking with Travel Counsellers (0800 093 1388) is £1,431, but its cruise fans spend an average £2,658, up 33 per cent in a year and making Travel Counsellors the fourth biggest selling cruise agency in Britain.

20. A BOOST FOR BOLTON

As Manchester leads the revival of the North-West as a tourist destination, no wonder neighbouring Bolton urgently seeks a head of tourism on £35,000 a year. Comedian Peter Kay has already paid tribute to his home town at the Albert Hall - the Bolton version, of course - while DJ Sara Cox is another local.

With Sam Allardyce's team in the Premiership, football fans and many more besides are expected in 2005 to retrace the steps of local lad Samuel Crompton, inventor of the Spinning Mule. The De Vere Whites Hotel is a mere 500 yards from the Reebok Stadium.

Info: Happening Bolton brochure (01204 334321 and www.visitbolton.com.); De Vere Whites Hotel (01204 667 788 or central reservations on 01925 639499).

Excellent North-West regional information is also available on website www.visitenglandnorthwest.com organised by the Northwest Development Agency.