UK consumers ‘spend £45bn on holidays’
The UK holiday industry is worth almost £100 billion, according to new research.
The data from AXA Insurance based on a poll of 1,000 adults in July, shows that UK consumers will spend £97.3 billion on various elements of their holiday this year.
The cost of holidays, at £45 billion, was the highest expense, followed by spending money at £29 billion.
Tours and excursions cost £4.4 billion while £4.2 billion was spent on travel insurance and £2.2 billion on car hire.
More than half of people (53%) will take between one and three holidays, one in ten expect to go on four or five breaks. More than 2 million people will take more than five breaks, according to the findings.
The most popular holiday is the traditional hotel/apartment and beach break, which attracts 65% of people. This was closely followed by the city and beach combinations (60%) and fly-drives (44%). Least popular were holiday camps, cruising and safari holidays.
The UK and Ireland proved to be the most popular destinations with 68% or more than 22.4 million taking a domestic break or holidaying over the Irish Sea.
UK and Ireland also proved to be most popular with the over-65s with three quarters choosing to holiday at home or in Ireland. People in Yorkshire/Humberside (82%) are more likely to holiday in the UK/Ireland, the research found.
*The most popular 2006 holiday destinations:
Destination Percentage and number (millions) of consumers planning to holiday at destination
UK and Ireland 68% or 22.4m
Spain, Balearic and Canary Islands 37% or 12.2m
France 25% or 8.3m
Italy 19% or 6.2m
US 17% or 5.6m
Greece 13% or 4.5m
Canada 10% or 3.2m
Portugal 11% or 3.6m
Australia and New Zealand 9% or 3m
Africa 8% or 2.8m
South America 7% or 2.4m
Southeast Asia 7% or 2.2m
India 6% or 2m
*How much do we plan to spend on holidays and related add-ons in 2006:
Area of expense Total cost
Booking the holiday itself £45 billion
Spending money £29 billion
New clothes £7 billion
Tours and excursions £4.4 billion
Travel insurance £4.2 billion
Holiday toiletries £2.4 billion
Car hire £2.2 billion
New electrical equipment £1.5 billion
Holiday equipment, e.g. toys / tents etc £1.6 billion
*Most popular holidays during 2006:
Type of holiday Percentage and number (millions) of consumers planning to holiday at destination
Hotel/beach apartment 65% or 21.6m
City and beach 60% or 19.8m
Fly/drive 44% or 14.5m
Villa holiday 25% or 8.3m
Camping 21% or 7m
Theme parks 19% or 6.1m
Sporting holidays 16% or 5.3m
Holiday camp 14% or 4.7m
Cruise 14% or 4.5m
Safari 9% or 3m
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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