Sharm El Sheikh picture by Flickr user WomEOS

Egypt has emerged as one of the top autumn bargain break sun destinations during the October school half-term. Meanwhile Spain is losing out due to the weakness of sterling to the euro, according to The Co-operative Travel.

Half-term holidays to Sharm El Sheikh have increased by 142% according to data based on more than 1,000 bookings. The dramatic rise coincides with a significant fall in the cost of holidays to the Red Sea resort, with the average selling price for a family holiday dropping by 20.7% (from £2,394 to £1,898). Majorca, the family favourite last year, has been knocked off the top spot into fourth place.

Retail distribution director Trevor Davis said: “There has been a shortage of late deals this year and with the euro still high, families are looking further afield for value for money.”

Top 10 Family destinations for October half term

1 Tenerife

2 Dalaman

3 Sharm El Sheikh

4 Majorca

5 Lanzarote

6 Larnarca

7 Costa Blanca

8 Algarve

9 Costa Del Sol

10 Crete