Credit crunch gives UK holidays a boost
8 October 2008
The UK's traditional seaside towns are set to be some of the few
net gainers from the credit crunch and economic turmoil. New
research from insurance specialists Towergate Bakers reveals that
65% of Britons will be switching to cheap UK holidays over the next
12 months to beat the credit crunch - and our coastal towns return
to favour as top holiday choices.
At a time when the economic downturn has rocked major tour
operators - and when a variety of cost of living hikes have hit
family disposable income - the new research suggests long haul and
expensive package holidays overseas face a tough year ahead, as
British consumers choose to spend their money in the UK, giving a
surprise boost to UK tourism and the economy at large.
As part of a new study into UK and drive holidays, Towergate
Bakers asked a GB representative sample of more than 2,000 people
what sort of holidays for the year ahead they were planning in
order to avoid getting further into debt.
Key findings:
- With 65% of Brits choosing a cheap UK break in the year ahead
to avoid sliding into needless debt, the most popular overall UK
holiday choices comprised: Cottage holiday 26%; UK seaside town
break 23%; caravan/caravan park 20% and camping 17%.
- Caravan holidays are the top choice UK break for couples or
parents in their 30's – 21%. Dispelling the myth that caravans and
caravan parks are a pastime for retirees, caravan breaks are now
most popular with young families.
- For the under 25 'festival generation' camping is the top
choice budget holiday – 32% - young Brits preferring the great
outdoors to the comfort of a B&B or a holiday cottage. People
in their 20's are almost most likely to take to the water with a
slow moving barge holiday – 11%.
- The seaside town revival is most prevalent among 20 and 30 year
olds – 27%. Regionally, people in the Midlands – those furthest
away from the seaside - are the people most likely to opt for a UK
seaside break.
Other regional findings:
- Capital Comforts: People from London are least likely to be
attracted to the idea on spending their holiday in a tent or on a
camp site (14%), preferring the comforts of a holiday cottage.
- Celtic Caravans: Wales emerged as the new 2008-9 caravanning
capital of the UK – with 24% of adults planning a caravan or
caravan park break in the year ahead.
- Red Coat Heaven: The North East share the honours with the
affluent, image conscious South East as the regions most likely to
opt for a holiday camp in the year ahead (17% and 15%).
Paul Havenhand, Marketing Director at Towergate Bakers
commented: "As the UK's leading caravan insurer we have noticed a
return to popularity of traditional UK holidays. Young parents
often have nostalgic memories of their own childhood holidays and
this combined with the economic downturn will create a boom in UK
holidays in the year ahead. For families planning a UK break we do
recommend they check their insurance arrangements, especially if
it's going to be their first caravan holiday."
Need insurance cover?
Towergate Bakers is a leading provider of caravan insurance. Call
0870 998 0281 for a quote.