Abta: 2008 will be a great year to travel

The Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) has claimed that 2008 will be "a great year to travel", with a number of social and cultural factors influencing people's holiday decisions.

Colombia will be "back on the map of must-see destinations" as a result of Love in the Time of Cholera, a film based in the city of Cartagena, according to Abta.

Another movie, The Cup, starring Pierce Brosnan and Nicole Kidman, is expected to augment British travellers' desire to visit Australia, while TV show The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency will boost the exposure of Botswana.

Formula One racing could have an effect on travel patterns, with Singapore holding the first ever grand prix at night and Valencia using its recently developed America's Cup marina as the location for an F1 street race.

Sports fans will also flock to China next year as the country hosts the 2008 Olympics.

Abta also revealed that early bookings for the popular holiday locations of Turkey, Egypt, Portugal and the US "look very good".

Justin Fleming, president of the association, said: "Travelling is always an inspiring way of spending our free time and with so many exciting events and enticing destinations, our enthusiasm for overseas holidays in 2008 remains high."