Halifax research shows that 3.7 million Brits travelled for more than seven hours to get to their holiday destination. The major Bank predicted that this number will rise to 4.9 million.

Paul Birkhead, a senior manager at Halifax, said: “Better airline quality, the lure of the winter sun, favourable exchange rates and cheaper long-haul flights have created a boom in demand for long-haul mini-breaks, with millions of us enduring long flights for a weekend break on the other side of the globe.”

Cities chosen for weekend breaks include Las Vegas, New York, Vancouver, Dubai and Hong Kong.

Mr Birkhead added: “Holidaymakers should not risk travelling without adequate travel insurance just because they are taking a short break. Things can go wrong whether you are taking a break for two days or two weeks.”