Brits leaving UK behind for festive travel

The pre-Christmas period is the most popular time for festive travel, new research from travel insurance provider Staysure has revealed.

Nearly half (47 per cent) of Brits travelling for Christmas do so between 22 December and Christmas Eve, with the post-Christmas days coming a distant second place.

While just over a quarter of people (27 per cent) were travelling between Christmas and New Year, just 16 per cent were doing so to ring in the New Year abroad.

The most common reason for travelling was spending time with family abroad (39 per cent), while nearly one in three (31 per cent) were after a change in scenery.

Among other reasons for travel were the pressures of the Christmas period, with 18 per cent saying they were jetting off to avoid family stress, and 12 per cent leaving Christmas commercialism, such as adverts and presents, behind. 

Of those who don’t have festive travel plans, 51 per cent said they don’t have any desire to travel at Christmas, while 33 per cent said it was too expensive – rising to 42 per cent for those aged 35–44. Additionally, 12 per cent said they were saving up for a main holiday during the summer period.

Where are they headed?

The research also found that Spain and the Canary Islands were the most popular destination for winter holidays (20 per cent), with Australia a close third. Popular city-break destinations like France and Germany are also in the top 10, as well as long-haul choices such as India and New Zealand.

Winter travel was most popular among Generation X, who picked Switzerland and Italy as their favourite destinations – potentially heading off on skiing and other winter sports trips. By contrast, 44 per cent of over-55s were planning to stay home, highlighting a potential travel gap between generations, with older family members choosing to holiday outside of popular periods.

Ryan Howsam, Founder and CEO of Staysure, said: “Christmas is always a busy period, and this year looks set to be no different. Whether you’re travelling to Barbados or Dubai for some well-earned winter sun, or heading to Spain to see family, it’s important to make sure you’ve got the correct cover. It’s heartening to see people taking insurance out when they might not usually do so – Christmas is an expensive time as it is, and most people can’t afford to lose thousands of pounds on hospital bills.”