Brits plan ‘last hurrah’ summer holiday

Less than a quarter of British travellers say the high price of fuel will affect their holiday plans this year.

The influence of the poor value of the pound against the euro is having more impact on summer travel plans, according to a new poll.

Thirty per cent of British respondents said currency exchange rates are having an impact.

As a result, 38% say they will travel to a destination that has a more favourable exchange rate and a quarter (26%) will be staying at less expensive accommodation.

Sixty-two percent of British respondents to the poll by online travel community TripAdvisor plan to take half or more of their annual holiday entitlement this summer with 19% taking all of it.

Sixty-one percent will be taking the same amount as last year, while a quarter will be taking more time off this summer.

Nearly one-third (32%) of Brits will take a two- to three- weeks break and 10% will have three to four weeks off this summer.

A quarter of Brits expect to spend more money on summer holidays this year, while just over half (52%) say that they will spend the same as last year.

Excluding transportation and accommodation, the majority of Brits plan to spend the greatest amount of money on their summer holidays this year on restaurants (50%), followed by tours (12%). Five percent of spending will go on clothing, while only two percent will be allocated to souvenirs.

The annual summer travel survey of 4,000 travellers worldwide found that the appetite for summer holidays remains strong.

Compared with the rest of the world, rising fuel costs and poor exchange rates are less likely to have any major impact on the majority of Brits’ plans to make the most of a summer break, according to the survey findings.

A TripAdvisor spokesman said: “A summer holiday is a must-have for the British public.

“It may be a last hurrah but seems that we are determined to have a good time this summer, no matter what the cost.”

Only 21% of British travellers said they will take fewer car trips to save on fuel, compared with 31% of all travellers.Just 10% of British plan to take shorter-distance car trips to save on fuel, unlike 15% worldwide and 18% of US respondents.  

Seaside holidays continue to be the most popular worldwide,with 61% of travellers intending to visit a beach destination this summer.Cities (49%) and lakes and mountains (31%) were second and third most popular destination types.

The most popular summer holiday activity, according to 66% of travellers, is just relaxing.City sightseeing, shopping, and visiting a national park are the next three most popular activities.

Nineteen per cent plan to go hiking, 14% intend to go camping and nine per cent will go biking this summer.

Twelve per cent plan to go sailing/boating and 11% expect to go scuba diving/snorkeling. Five per cent said they will participate in adventure sports, such as whitewater rafting and parasailing.