'We have seen an increase in customers booking later and shorter holidays recently,' said Edward Helps, MD of UK Boat Hire. 'However our bookings for 2008 are up on last year. The "Credit Crunch" does seem to be encouraging people to stay and holiday in the UK.'

‘Hoseasons has seen a resurgence in demand for boating holidays in recent weeks, with late bookings particularly strong for the Broads,' said Sara Zimmerman, product director of Hoseasons Holidays, which is the booking agent for many boat hire companies in the British Isles. 'While week long holidays are still overwhelmingly popular during the school holidays, shorter breaks are growing in popularity at other times, particularly on the canal and river network.'

These are trends we expect to see continue, she added, with a short break afloat representing increasingly good value when compared to an overseas holiday.