Austerity out as Scots refuse to compromise on holidays

DESPITE talk of austerity, people in the UK are refusing to give up their holidays – with Brits planning to spend an average of £923 per person this year.

Whereas last year 21 per cent of people in the UK went without a holiday, only nine per cent plan to miss out this year.

One in four people plan to spend more on their holiday than last year, but say it will be their major expense of the year.

Almost half of those questioned by researchers (49 per cent) say they plan a major trip of a week or longer, and many say they are likely to book their trip within the next month.

On average people will spend £923 per person on flights, accommodation and spending money. Scots will spend a greater proportion of their budget on travel and accommodation.

The majority of people (63 per cent) say they plan to make at least one trip abroad this year, while 28 per cent say they will stay in the UK on a staycation.

More than one in five Scots, (22.4 per cent) are planning to make one small trip alongside many small trips around the country. By contrast only 21.7 per cent of people in the UK as a whole plan a main holiday and several smaller trips.

Scots also take a higher level of spending money away with them than people in other parts of the UK, taking an average of £437 per person.

Gillian Edwards, a spokeswoman for travel association ABTA said: “Our research has found that holidays are the last thing to go. People would rather cut back on eating out or home improvements before they cut back on their holidays.

“The trends we are seeing is that the market is holding pretty steady. However, we are seeing people leaving it later to book.

“Also, rather than going away for two weeks people are going for shorter breaks.”

She said both the luxury and the all-inclusive markets were performing well – as were differentiated holidays, which offered people an element of action, adventure or learning as well as a break away.

According to research by British Airways and American Express Brits will spend £36bn on holidays this year, with an estimated six million people booking their holidays over the next few weeks.

Almost one in five people (18.4 per cent) say they plan to book their holidays using their credit cards. However, only two per cent say they plan to use credit card loyalty schemes to arrange upgrades.

Julie Hay, head of British Airways American Express Credit Cards, said: “Last year saw many people exercising frugality in the face of difficult economic conditions, but it is promising to see that this year we are likely to see a turnaround. However, in order to make that holiday budget stretch further, people should be looking at rewards programmes to help mitigate costs.

“One simple way to do this is to use a travel rewards credit card for your everyday spending. This means that, come holiday booking time, you can look forward to a number of extras including companion vouchers, upgrades and discounts to make your holiday even more special and affordable.

“In addition we are seeing a rise in the number of alternative and innovative ways of saving money while on holiday. For example, our research found that 47 per cent of UK adults have or would consider a ‘house swap’ holiday; exchanging properties with another person or family either in the UK or abroad, as a way to save money and have a new experience.”