Brits get savvy as holiday season approaches

Research released by Post Office Travel Money shows that 77% of British holidaymakers believe they will take as much holiday this year as they did in 2009, with many travellers (eight in ten) adapting their plans to fit in with their tightened budgets.

Brits are also getting more savvy when it comes to booking their holidays, with many partaking in the new trend based on the travel agent technique of ‘switch-selling’, which sees someone choosing an alternative destination which they hadn’t previously considered to save themselves significant sums of money.

The Post Office’s research reveals that growing numbers of holidaymakers are ‘switch-shopping’ themselves by sacrificing their main destination choice, to ensure they still have their required number of days away on holiday. The Post Office found that almost half (47%) of people plan to take at least one holiday of 10 to 20 days, and one in ten (13%) plan to take an even longer holiday of three weeks or more, with many people willing to switch deal to a better value destination rather than shortening or cancelling their trip altogether.

Looking at the other ways holidaymakers are set to cut costs, style is being substituted for budget with one in five (22%) planning to fly on budget airlines and one in ten (11%) staying in cheaper hotels. A further one in five (19%) are willing to holiday at a less popular time of year and one fifth (19 per cent) will opt for a ‘staycation’ in the UK, even though they would prefer to go abroad.

Sarah Munro, head of Post Office Travel Services, said:

“Despite financial pressures it seems holidays are not something that people are willing to give up. Instead they are choosing to switch their first choice destination to one which allows them to cut costs and to allow for that two week break. Holidaymakers should of course research deals carefully and consider all factors before they book.

“Although people are prepared to fly with budget airlines and stay in less expensive hotels, we’re urging people not to cut corners on their travel essentials. Always make sure you exchange enough travel money before you go in order to get the best rates and don’t scrimp on travel insurance. Cheaper policies are full of exclusions and your holiday could end up costing you a great deal more than you bargained for should the worst happen and you become ill or your holiday gets cancelled.”