Brits prioritising travel, despite cost of living crisis

According to new research from easyJet, British holidaymakers are prioritising trips abroad more than ever, despite the current economic climate.

The low-cost airline surveyed 2,000 British adults and the results show that Brits are placing more value on travel than before.

Fifty-seven per cent of Brits said that despite the cost of living crisis, they will always protect their summer holiday, with 80 per cent saying they will be taking a holiday this year. Europe is the most popular among British holidaymakers, with 74 per cent heading there. Spain (23 per cent), Greece (nine per cent) and France (five per cent) are the top destinations.

Additionally, the research found that 87 per cent of Brits will spend more or about the same on holidays this year compared with last year, even with the current financial situation. Many value taking a break highly (42 per cent) and believe that making memories are more important than anything (37 per cent).

Pandemic effects

More than half of Brits (56 per cent) said that the pandemic changed their views on travel with 35 per cent saying that they now put more value on enjoying life.

Nearly one in three (30 per cent) Brits said that they used to take travel for granted but following the pandemic restrictions now want to make the most of it. Twenty-three per cent are travelling more than before the pandemic with 48 per cent of them saying they value experiences over items.

Forty-six per cent said they need more breaks from daily life and 39 per cent said they are wanting to make up for the years they couldn’t travel. In fact, 47 per cent of Brits made savings during the pandemic and are now using that money to spend on travelling.

Protecting the holiday

To make sure they can safeguard their holiday, 82 per cent of Brits are saving on takeaways (45 per cent), dinners and drinks out (42 per cent) and clothing and accessories (30 per cent).

If Brits had a choice, they would prefer to spend their money on their summer holiday (66 per cent) than house renovations (49 per cent), a new car (39 per cent) or a home office (16 per cent).

More than two thirds of holidaymakers are also being more cost effective when it comes to travelling this year (65 per cent) by booking more budget-friendly hotels and resorts (27 per cent) and 45 per cent of Brits will be more likely to book flights with a low-cost carrier than before the pandemic.

easyJet CEO Johan Lundgren said: “The pandemic has meant that travel is once again highly valued, sitting firmly as the number one priority for household discretionary spend. And rather than the cost of living dampening demand, instead it seems travel is more important than ever, with more customers opting for airlines like easyJet which promise the best value.”