DE MEERN, 20/06/06 - The countries around the Mediterranean are popular among Dutch tourists this summer. The number of trips to the Far East is also continuing to increase, booking figures through 4 June from travel companies' organisation ANVR show.

Greece (up 28 percent from last year), Tunisia (up 27 percent), Portugal (up 25 percent) and Spain (up 18 percent) are doing well. Morocco has no less than 35 percent more bookings than in the same period last year. But Turkey has lost many customers (down 38 percent).

More and more people are opting for a coach trip: 16 percent more than last year. Italy (up 28 percent), Spain (up 26) and France (up 14) are benefiting most from this trend.

Auto holidays are slightly more popular with an increase of 2 percent. France is still the most popular destination for car tourists at 31 percent.

Flying is chosen by 52 percent of vacationers, down 3 percent from last year. Around 85 percent of air travellers fly within Europe, with 15 percent making a long-haul flight.

Trips to the Far East are continuing to increase (up 19 percent). Interest in South America is also growing. Brazil is particularly popular this year (up 21 percent). North America (down 22 percent) and Central America (down 18) appear out of favour, as does Africa (down 13).