| Travel is still a priority for most British families, a new survey has found, despite the current global recession and the strain that most people are undergoing financially. Research by cheapflights.co.uk, a leading price comparison website, has found that 83 per cent of British families have admitted that they would reduce spending in other areas in order to protect their holiday budget. |
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| The survey found that while many families are making cutbacks in tough economic times, holiday budgets are the least affected by the problems. This is likely to come as welcome news to owners of villas, hotels and restaurants, many of whom were concerned that business would be negatively affected by the recession. Ski resorts are also likely to be pleased, after 66 per cent of respondents named winter sun as preferable to a summer break. |
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| Short-haul flights are looking more popular than long-haul, with the percentage of people expected to take a long-haul holiday falling by six per cent. Middle Eastern countries are also less popular this year, which is thought to be a reaction to the recent 'Arab Spring' that many countries in the region have witnessed. European destinations are easily the most popular option for travellers, with 25 per cent of those surveyed naming a country within the continent as their first choice. |
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| But this isn't the only positive news to be published recently. The new 2012 Travel Trends Survey has found that 25 per cent of Brits are planning to spend more on next year's holiday than this one, with the average holiday spend being placed between £2,000 and £4,000. However, it's thought that British people are also being careful about how they pay for their holidays, with many opting for a sensible repayment period of at least a couple of months. Of those surveyed, 21 per cent admitted they would take more than two months to pay off their holidays, suggesting that this is likely to be the biggest expense for most families all year. |
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| The impact of the recession has also affected how secure families feel in booking a holiday, with 36 per cent stating that they are now more likely to buy holiday insurance than in previous years. This is due to high-profile problems in the travel industry last year which saw many companies collapsing and cancelling flights due to poor weather conditions, leaving families out of pocket and with no holiday. |
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| Those surveyed also admitted that the current situation within the Eurozone may have an impact on where they would choose to holiday, with 33 per cent admitting that it would be a factor in their choice of destination. It's thought that many Brits are hoping to take advantage of the deals currently available in the countries worst hit by the Eurozone crisis, as many of these countries have lowered their tourism rates in an effort to attract visitors and stimulate their economy. This result is likely to be a welcome one, with hotels and villas in Spain, Greece and Italy hoping to enjoy an increased number of visitors in the coming months. |
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| With the recession showing no signs of lifting and many families finding their finances stretched more than ever, it may come as a surprise to find that holidays are still a top priority. However, it's possible that the recession may be the reason that many are booking sunshine breaks, in order to cheer themselves up following yet another slew of gloomy headlines. |
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| Whatever the reason, it's sure to be welcome news to travel companies worried about the effect of the financial crisis on their business, as well as smaller businesses such as restaurants and shops which rely on tourism for an extra boost. And with economic experts predicting that increased spending will help bring the economy back to full health, it seems that the British love of holidaying could be an unlikely solution to the continuing economic crisis. |
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