With some far-flung luxury resorts ready to discount prices by up to 40 per cent, summer 2010 could set a new pattern for the travel industry, by delivering long-haul holidays which cost less than short-haul trips to the pricey eurozone.

That’s the claim of an analysis by tour operator Hayes & Jarvis – part of First Choice – which says a 70 per cent surge in bookings for Thailand in the last month is a sign that thousands of travellers have realised they will save money by going further afield.

It follows a warning by Thomas Cook boss Manny Fontenla-Novoa that his company was keen to sell more mid-haul holidays, typically to the Red Sea and Dubai, because profits from long-haul holidays have been slashed to a minimum by the pound’s fall against the dollar.

Hayes & Jarvis commercial director Niel Alobaidi says: “This is the year when holidaymakers who traditionally booked three-star accommodation can now have a five-star experience for the same price, or even less.

“We identified a number of cases recently, particularly in Thailand, Egypt and Dubai, where a five-star luxury package costs less than a more modest three-star one did last year.

“As a result, the proportion of bookings for luxury hotels has increased to such an extent that our three best-selling Dubai properties in January were all five-star resorts, against just one a year ago.

“This could also be the year when a long-haul holiday can finally prove cheaper than a European trip,” said Mr Alobaidi.

“We are currently selling holidays for spring and early summer, where couples can get away to a high-quality resort for a little over £1,000 for two, which obviously helps to explain the boom in long-haul trips.”

Among best-selling packages at Hayes & Jarvis are 14-night stays at the five-star Amari Orchid Resort in Pattaya in March from £599, saving £430, and including return flights.

And, families who in February booked seven-night all-inclusive stays in April at the four-star Ibrotel Sharm El Sheikh on the Red Sea coast of Egypt could have paid £549 each – against £649 for the same week in April 2009.

Barbados outside the peak season also offers pretty good value: Hayes & Jarvis has been selling seven nights’ all-inclusive in March at three-star Silver Sands Resort from as little as £699, thanks to heavy discounting by hotels and airlines.

Mr Alobaidi says long-haul bargains are emerging due to several factors, including an improving sterling exchange rate for destinations linked to the US dollar, and low tourist costs in many resorts. Thailand was recently second cheapest of 30 destinations surveyed in the Post Office’s Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometer.

INFORMATION: Hayes & Jarvis (0871 6640246 and hayesandjarvis.com).