HOLIDAY makers are heading for the West Indies in hordes despite a huge hike in the air passenger duty (APD) airport departure tax to the Caribbean.

There were fears of a downturn in UK visitors after the Caribbean fared particularly badly in the last round of APD increases.

But there has been a 25 per cent growth in holidays to Antigua, Barbados, Jamaica and Cuba over the last two months, a long-haul destination report by holiday company Hayes & Jarvis showed.

“This has been fuelled by tactical discounting by Caribbean hoteliers,” said Hayes & Jarvis commercial director Niel Alobaidi.

“This proves that the increase in APD has not been the deterrent that many imagined,” he said.

“Competitive pricing has delivered for the Caribbean, both for late summer bookings and for the crucial winter sun season.”

Mexico has seen the biggest increase in bookings for long-haul holidays while there has also been a surge of interest in Malaysia.

Mexico is continuing to benefit from the start of direct flights to the resort of Cancun by British Airways last winter.

More competitive pricing has helped Malaysia increase bookings while, worldwide, all-inclusive offers have tempted holidaymakers.

These are the fastest growing long-haul destinations this year: 1. Mexico
2. California
3. Antigua
4. Malaysia
5. Barbados
6. Singapore
7. Cuba
8. The Maldives
9. St Lucia
10. Thailand