Despite the restraints of the financial climate, British sun-seekers remain hooked on summer vacations abroad. With guaranteed sunshine and unrivaled beaches, it is perhaps understandable why British families have continued to push the boat out and venture abroad for their vacations.

A recent American Express Global Foreign Exchange Services Currency Index concluded that just as many holidaymakers are fleeing Britain's borders in order to find some summer sun. The lack of a much-promised 'barbeque summer' has been a major problem for British resorts who had been expecting a significant increase in home visitors.

American Express trading and business director, Terry Perrin revealed: "Currency sales in the third quarter of this year remain on par with previous years, suggesting that despite the tightening of the purse strings up and down the country, Brits are just not prepared to forego their annual summer holiday."

The demand for currencies was certainly on the increase in holiday hot spots such as Turkey and Egypt at 26% and 60% respectively. Favourite Caribbean vacation haunts such as Jamaica and the Dominican Republic have also experienced a significant rise.

Vacation rental destinations such as the Dominican Republic boast simply irresistible beaches and scenery with a whole host of exciting activities on offer that could not be enjoyed back in the UK.

The impact of British families continuing to enjoy vacation rentals abroad has seen the demand for mini-break resorts such as Prague and Krakow decline. Meanwhile the world's eyes will be fixed on South Africa in 2010 as it prepares to host the Football World Cup. Its popularity as a vacation rental destination is already on the rise but experts predict sizeable volume increases in currency from the New Year onwards.