“Half of Brits prefer package holidays”

More than half of Britons prefer package holidays over Do-It-Yourself breaks, new research shows.

The findings of a poll of 2,000 people in January the Jamaica Tourist Board show more than one in two (58%) Brits continue to opt for a traditional package holiday – an increase from 56% in October 2004.

The hassle-free nature of packages makes them a favourite with couples with children. As many as 59 per cent will go on an all-inclusive package deal in 2005, compared with just 38 per cent of Britons that will take their children on a DIY break, according to the research.

The findings also show a marginal decline in the number of DIY breaks. More than a third of British holidaymakers (38%) are happy to ‘go it alone’, a slight decline since October 2004 (41%). This is despite the growing popularity and ease with which would-be holidaymakers can create their own bespoke breaks online.

In the fourth quarterly report by the JTB, the survey examines the trends of UK long haul travellers, revealing the nature of their holidays abroad.

JTB spokeswoman Elizabeth Fox said: “Despite the growing popularity of independent travel amongst adventurous holidaymakers, the traditional package holiday should remain a firm favourite for some time yet, especially as traditional providers are now making additions to the services they offer.”

Findings include:

* Package holidays remain popular amongst the younger generation, as many 61% of twenty-something’s will opt for an all-inclusive deal.

* It is the older generation (60+) that will look to create their own bespoke break. Nearly one in two (45%) would rather travel independently.

* Up from last quarter, as many as 42% of women prefer to travel independently (40% in October 2004), compared to 34% of men who prefer an all-inclusive deal.

* Package holidays are a firm favourite with more than two in three (68%) single Brits.

Around the regions:

* More than three quarters (78%) of Scottish holidaymakers will opt for an all-inclusive deal in 2005, closely followed by 75% of residents from Yorkshire.

* Londoners show the greatest sense of adventure, more than one in two (59%) will organise a DIY holiday in 2005, compared with 55% in the West Midlands.

* Other than the Scots (19%), the Welsh were amongst the most unlikely to organise a DIY break – less than a third (30%) will travel independently this year.

The JTB asked a GB representative sample of 2,000 people in January how they would classify the majority of their foreign travel.

Report by Phil Davies