Britons Travel, Why Don’t We?
August 15, 2009 by Mary Jo Manzanares
Filed under Home & Living
Here in the US we may be tightening our belts and opting for a staycation, but it’s not so elsewhere. Research from Visit London and Visit Britain have found that convincing Brits of the value of a staycation has been a very tough sell. Despite challenging economic times, UK residents will cut back in other areas of the budget in order to put a priority on vacation.
London Tube Station
The research showed that although 90% of the population was cutting back on spending in general, only 45% were cutting back on holidays, breaks, or day trips. Instead, spending was reduced on items such as food (80%), fuel (74%), clothes (67%) and entertainment or other little luxuries (67%). Vacations, so often viewed here in the US as something easily eliminated, are a viewed as a very high priority elsewhere.
Another interesting tidbit from the research is that only 20% of those taking an international holiday last year are choosing to stay in the UK this year, and that the only international trips that are being eliminated are the short getaways.
Brits are still vacationing within the UK, as well as abroad, and aren’t yet willing to put “stay” and “vacation” together. To which I say, good on them!
Why are Americans so willing to cut out vacations when residents of other countries are not? Why is travel such a low priority for us?
Photo credit: SXC
You say “Brits are still vacationing within the UK, as well as abroad, and aren’t yet willing to put “stay” and “vacation” together. To which I say, good on them!”
Actually, we have put them together and come up with “STAYCATION” a new term for vacationing at home instead of abroad.
The £ is week against the euro, and flights to the USA are not cheap, so a “staycation” is the answer.
Having lived in America for some years, I felt every day was a vacation because of the great weather. Here in the UK, we cannot plan even 1 day ahead because of the weather.
Thanks for a great post.