Brits the Holiday Habitués of Europe

Brits are the holiday habitués of Europe, according to a recent study of holiday choices by IPOS, the French pollster. Not only do more Brits go on holiday than other Europeans, but they do so more often, and they also spend more. The survey revealed that 74% of Brits proposed to take a summer holiday this year, whilst the average of those countries in the survey was 66%. The Germans were the least likely take a holiday, with less than two-thirds proposing to do so. Whereas most Europeans are content to take one summer holiday per year, around a third of all Brits take two or more holidays over the summer period June to September. They also spend more on a holiday treat, with an average spend of €2579 per household, compared to the European average of €2145. The Spanish and French spend least on their summer holidays, at around €2000 per household. This lower level of expenditure may be partly explained by the fact that, along with the Italians, around two-thirds of them take their summer holidays on their home turf. Around a third of Brits proposing to take a holiday this year intend to do so in ‘Old Blighty’, a small increase on 2006, with Spain their top foreign holiday destination, followed by France. Seaside holidays remain the favourite type of destination for most Brits (52%), but the number wishing to sit on the beach is in decline, with many preferring a holiday in the countryside or a city break. Indeed, the Brits favoured the seaside least of all those Europeans taking part in the survey. Whilst most Europeans take a typical two-week break over the summer, the survey also confirms the accustomed practice of the French in taking a three or four week summer holiday break.