Tornos News — The statistics from Post Office Travel Money’s 2017 Holiday Spending Report predicts that more than two thirds of Britons plan an overseas holiday this year. Spain will be the destination of choice for almost a quarter of holidaymakers.
This research results confirmed cost to be a priority for up to 87% of people, with flight and resort prices high on the list of concerns that determine holiday choice.
The researchers asked holidaymakers who had visited 16 destination to rate them as good or bad value, but the survey also sought the impressions people had for destinations they had not visited.
In several cases – notably Spain, Greece, Turkey, the Caribbean and the US – expectations of value were exceeded by actual experiences, with those who had visited destinations giving them far higher ratings than non-visitors.
For example, 64% of non-visitors thought the US would be good value but this rose for 78% of visitors.
One in six complained about the charges they incurred by using plastic to get cash from an ATM abroad. Another one in six felt ripped off by charges made on credit and debit card payments in shops and restaurants. But the cost of meals and drinks can be a bigger pitfall.
“That’s why it is surprising to find that holidaymakers choose destinations where resort costs are pricy.
Most popular destinations
• Of the 70 per cent of the 2,081 survey respondents planning trips abroad, the 10 most popular destinations are:
1. Mainland Spain 24%
2. France 18%
3. Italy 17%
4. US 16%
5. Canary Islands 11%
6. Portugal 10%
7. Greece 10%
8. Balearic Isles 9%
9. Caribbean 6%
10. Croatia 6%
The Populus research found that the important factors in holiday choice are:
Cost of transport (i.e. international flights) 87%
Resort costs for meals, drinks and other tourist items 76%
Package holiday price discounts 68%
The strength or weakness of the pound 51%
