BOOK your summer holidays today to collect an even bigger discount. That’s the tactic which tour firms are trying this year to get us to think seriously about holidays.

Greek island specialist Ionian and Aegean has knocked half off the price of villas on Kefalonia and Ithaca from April 26, along with seven-night Easter self-catering stays from £295, including flights. May discounts of a quarter mean seven nights self-catering on the island of Meganisi start at £375.

Camping holidays are being discounted for early bookings.

Eurocamp offers up to £175 off holidays of seven days and more; seven nights in the Vendee for a family from May 24 starts at £458, including ferry crossings.

Canvas Life claims two adults and all their children could stay for seven nights in a mobile home in Brittany from May 25 from £456. Keycamp promises savings up to £75 on bookings by February 29.

Cyprus specialist Libra has trimmed deposits to £50 per person, coupled with child price reductions which could take £271 off family bookings in the peak season period of July 22-Aug 31. “Under-occupancy” reductions may apply when children are included in family bookings.

Voyages Ilena is cutting villa rentals on Sardinia by up to £400 per week outside peak season on bookings by February 23.

Kosmar special offers out of Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Gatwick and Newcastle start at £134 for one week, £219 for two weeks. In early May seven nights self-catering on Zante, ex-East Midlands, starts at £154.

However 4.5% say the sheer “aggravation” of getting out of Britain persuades them to stay at home.

One-sixth of respondents to a holiday survey say they haven’t got the cash for foreign holidays this year.

INFORMATION: Voyages Ilena (0845 338 8702); Keycamp (0844 406 0319); Canvas Life (0870 192 1158); Libra (0871 226 7825); Eurocamp (0844 406 0552); Ionian & Aegean (020 8459 0777); Kosmar (0871 7000 747).