19 Dec 2018
Tags: Holidays, Brexit, personal finance, Money, Savings, Europe, Christmas, travel
- Half of Britons state Brexit will have no impact on their holiday plans for 2019
- Majority of Brits would plan a holiday on Brexit day
- Millennials most likely to book more holidays in 2019
- European beach holiday still number one choice
A survey commissioned by the UK's leading beach holiday specialist, On the Beach, has revealed that Brexit will have no impact on 2019 holiday plans for the majority of the British public.
The survey of 1,000 Brits found that half of Britons (50%) stated that Brexit will not impact their holiday plans, and that 86% plan to take the same number of holidays abroad or more in 2019 as they did in 2018.
Home or abroad
Almost a third (32%) said they plan on taking more foreign holidays next year than they did in 2018, compared to 27% who say they will be booking more holidays in the UK.
The survey revealed that more than half (54%), are intent on enjoying the same number of holidays abroad in 2019, as they did this year. Only 14% of Brits expect to take fewer foreign holidays next year.
Millennials are most likely to enjoy more foreign holidays next year, with over half (56%) of 16-24-year olds saying they will increase the number of breaks they take outside of the UK. Just one in 10 Brits from the same age group plan on taking fewer holidays in 2019.
The survey also revealed that almost nine out of 10 (89%), will still book a European beach holiday next year, despite the recent announcement that there will be a fee of €7 for Britons travelling to the EU, post Brexit.
13% of respondents said that they would be looking at holidays further afield, outside of Europe, as a result of Brexit.
Brexit day
More than eight in 10 (83%) stated that they would happily holiday abroad on Brexit day (29 March 2019), though uncertainties around Brexit mean that 17% will avoid being abroad on holiday on or around this day.
Holiday spending
The survey also asked holidaymakers if they plan on splashing more money on their holidays next year compared to this, and found that over a quarter (26%) will increase their holiday spend in 2019, whilst 40% will budget the same as they did during 2018.
Whilst a third (33%), plan on spending less on their holidays in 2019, just 12% said they would be willing to forego trips, if they were forced to make financial cut backs next year.
The research conducted by the online travel agent, found that holidays feature high on Britons' list of spending priorities, as one of the last things that they would be willing to give up.
Meals out topped the list of items people would be willing to forego (38%), followed by nights on the town (35%).
Almost a quarter (23%) would happily sacrifice leisure activities, such as nights at the cinema or theatre, before giving up on their week in the sun.
According to the research, Brits would also be willing to relinquish other major items, such as a new car (25%) and home improvements (20%).
With Christmas just a few days away, the survey revealed the only thing more important to Brits than their holidays, is gifts for friends and family, with only 11% saying they would happily save money on these items if they were forced to make cut backs.
Alan Harding, Marketing Director at On the Beach comments:
“Our survey suggests that Brits largely do not expect Brexit to change their holiday plans for 2019, with the majority planning to take the same or more number of holidays abroad next year as they did in 2018.
“The results of our survey also show just how important holidays are for hard working Brits, with their week in the sun almost topping their list of disposable income spending priorities.
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For further information, please contact Jamie Wortley at: jamie@jpwcommunications.com, or call 07877 589910
About On the Beach
Founded in 2004 and listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2015, On the Beach is the UK's leading beach holiday specialist. With more than 60 million website visitors this year, over 1.5 million customers found, booked and enjoyed their perfect On the Beach holiday. Book online at www.onthebeach.co.uk, or by calling the UK call centre on 0871 474.