Many holidaymakers are planning staycations this year because they see foreign trips as “too risky” and want to splash out in 2021, according to a travel firm.

Kuoni has reported a “clear upturn” in demand for holidays next year, with more than half of customers heading to the white sand beaches of the Maldives.

The company has also seen strong sales for Mauritius, Thailand, Spain and India.

Saturday was Kuoni’s best day for bookings since the coronavirus lockdown began in March.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office currently advises against non-essential overseas travel, while a 14-day quarantine policy for international arrivals came into force on Monday.

Many people will opt to stay closer to home within the UK this year

Kuoni chief executive Derek Jones said: “Bookings for the Maldives are outperforming every other destination we sell around the world, currently accounting for 56% of bookings for 2021.

“The Maldives has always been our best seller but it’s soaring even further ahead right now.

“Whilst there is still so much uncertainty around plans to open borders, the 14-day quarantine and social distancing, people are telling us that they’d rather plan ahead for next year and save to make the trip an extra special one, upgrading what they’d normally do.

“It’s clear from the conversations we’re having with customers and booking patterns that many people will opt to stay closer to home within the UK this year, as they see overseas travel in the near future as being too risky.”

UK campsites are experiencing a surge in bookings, while Auto Trader recently said interest in online adverts for caravans was up nearly a fifth compared with the same time last year.