British holiday goers are looking for hotspots for the holidays after recent reports showed that there has been a rise in the number of holidays.

According to the budget airline bmibaby, Malaga looks set to be its most popular destination for 2009, followed by Palma and Portugal.

Managing director Crawford Rix said the airline has seen a "huge" number of people searching for flights to holiday hotpots such as Spain.

He added: "With the current economic downturn consumers want to make sure their annual summer holiday guarantees them some sunshine."

Other top 2009 destinations include Alicante, Almeria and Majorca. In order to meet demand, bmibaby said it has increased its capacity by adding 30 extra flights to its most popular destinations.

In other news, Rachel Croft of Post Office Travel Insurance this week, advised British holidaymakers to take a European Health Insurance Card away with them, in addition to travel insurance, if they are travelling to the continent.