The company also reported a rise in the number of people booking for longer periods, with more holidaymakers taking trips of between seven and 14 days rather than short weekend breaks.

Geneva in Switzerland is the top car hire location this Easter, according to Carrentals.co.uk, followed by Orlando in Florida, Faro and Lisbon airports in Portugal and Pisa in Italy.

Gareth Robinson, managing director of the firm Car Hire in the Uk, said: 'We've definitely seen a change in booking this Easter - customers seem to want to escape the UK and the constant reminders of recession.

'As a result, they are booking longer escapes to favourites such as Switzerland, the Algarve and Florida, and also newer locations - for example the Atlantic coast in Portugal.'

The Abta travel association said recently that the current economic climate has led to holidaymakers being more adventurous in their destination choices.

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