New research by The Co-operative Travel has revealed that once popular resorts in the Western Mediterranean, such as the Costa del Sol and Algarve, are being shunned in favour of holidays in up-and-coming holiday spots.

The new number one area has been nicknamed 'the Mett' after its key destinations: Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia and Turkey.

This year Mediterranean resorts have seen a cumulative fall in bookings of 11.6% compared to the Mett’s increase of 23.4%. If these current trends continue then the two areas will swap places by the end of 2011, with the Mett becoming the number one choice for package holidays.

This would mean that by summer 2012, the Mett would be receiving over 38% of UK package holidaymakers.

Trevor Davis, director of retail distribution at The Co-operative Travel said: “The growth of all-inclusive deals, which appeal to people wanting to fix the total cost of their holiday, has helped to increase demand for these fast-growing destinations.

“At the same time increased capacity and the high cost of the Euro have both contributed to a significant rise in bookings.”

He added: "If these trends continue, it will represent the biggest change in bookings patterns since the boom of the package holiday in the 1970s.”

OOOH Cheered me up no end !! that did Stu.
Very true though......
The only saving grace is that Spain has 'history' in so far as it is still a firm favourite and at least has an infrastructure that we can recognise together with being 2 hours away.Morroco,Egypt and Tunisia are still dodgy,I can only assume Turkey is also.The question is....would you buy a house there and could you sleep at night having done so???

Sorry to burst your bubble but Turkey is far from dodgy! A close relative of mine has an apartment in Kas, southern Turkey, has had it for 8 years and goes there all the time, she is in her 70's and partially sighted. She and her friends 9 the golden girls as the locals call them ) absolutely love it there. I have also visited and we are going  there this October. Southern Turkey is beautiful and the locals are so welcoming and helpfull. The food is great and it is certainly safe ( as far as anywhere can be these days ) My Mum has made good friends with a local Turkish family and the company who look after the apartment are very trustworthy. So there you are!! This is Southern Turkey by the way, very European in its outlook. Actually the way the locals welcome you reminds me of how Spain was about 30 years ago, before they got bored of the tourists. It would seem that they need to go back to basics if they want to win us over again. A smile goes along way folks, and when we buy food in the supermarket, try putting it in the bag and not throwing it at us! Just basic manners really.

Yes, but what Stuarts saying is you took your tourist pound abroad and (drum roll) to one of the up and coming destinations mentioned. This is terrible and you should be chained to the Tortosa tourist information office and flogged. ( Please ensure that you print the details of your offence off in English so the locals know why you are being beaten, it will already have been done in Catalan).