More and more Britons planning a ‘spur of the moment’ holiday
‘Staycations are on the cards for millions of people, but there is also excitement about going abroad – particularly among the younger population’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Millions of British tourists are planning a last-minute ‘spur of the moment’ holiday this summer because they are fed up with having to reschedule their trips away.
A survey of 2,000 UK adults revealed more than half have had to reschedule a booked holiday since March 2020.
It is not just a one-off - those who have had to change dates have had to do it three times on average.
However, the majotiry say they will refuse to reschedule again and instead will write it off completely.
While a few of those who have booked annual leave plan to arrange their holiday ‘last minute’ - an average of nine days before they go away.
Providing the government sticks to its roadmap, with 21 June set to be the date when things return to normal, holiday booking sites and travel agents can expect a deluge of visits from sun-loving Britons desperate to go away.
A quarter are hoping to go abroad when restrictions allow, with almost half are having a domestic holiday.
It seems that while 17 per cent of people aged 65 and over want to go abroad, this figure rises to 59 per cent of those aged 18 to 24.
The survey, by private Covid testing company Medicspot, found Spain is likely to be the top destination for Brits, followed by Greece, Italy, Mainland USA and the Caribbean.
Making up the top 10 are France, Australia, Hawaii, Thailand and Croatia.
A spokesperson for Medicspot, which is on the government list of providers for the mandatory Day 2 and Day 8 Tests for travel, said: “As restrictions are eased and society opens up, more and more people will be looking to go away.
“Staycations are on the cards for millions of people, but there is also excitement about going abroad – particularly among the younger population.
“And Spain, which has long been a popular destination for Brits of all ages, looks to be the foreign country most likely to benefit from tourism this summer.”
However, while people are looking forward to a break, many said the confusion around the vaccine rollout in Europe is putting them off booking a holiday on the continent this year.
Almost two-thirds of respondents are worried about jumping on an aircraft now, while others are worried about spending time at an airport.
As a result, eight in 10 think people should have to be able to prove they don’t have Covid-19 before getting on an aircraft, and some say they don’t want to holiday abroad until they are fully vaccinated.
The poll, carried out via OnePoll, also found that many who want to have a staycation are worried they won’t find anywhere due to soaring demand from domestic tourists.
More than a third also think their mental health has been affected by not having a holiday booked or the uncertainty surrounding booking holidays.
Some even think the government should subsidise people’s holidays this year to boost the nation’s mental health and get the travel industry moving again.
At some points during the pandemic, the majotiry said it felt like they’d never be able to have a holiday again.
A spokesperson for Medicspot added “The tourist industry has been significantly affected by the pandemic, but Brits are itching to get away this summer, either for a trip abroad or to enjoy the beauty of the United Kingdom.
“It’s been a difficult period for the industry and those wanting an escape, but the vaccine rollout going well and infection rates falling, there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
SWNS
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments