Britons buy holidays despite crunch
Updated on 12 January 2009
More than two in three Britons plan to spend the same or more on holidays this year as in 2008, according to a survey.
Average holiday spending in 2009 is likely to be £632.04 per person, making for an outlay of more than £2,500 for a family of four, the poll by travel organisation Abta found.
As many as 8% of the 2,447 adults surveyed were prepared to spend above £1,200 on a holiday while more than 50% were happy to spend up to £500 on flights and accommodation.
Only 9% intended to leave their booking until the last minute.
Abta said bookings to Egypt, Turkey, long-haul destinations such as Orlando in Florida and cruise holidays were all doing well at the moment.
Abta communications head Casia Zajac said: "Holidays are important to people in different ways but the research is clear that holidays are a vital part of people's year and still will be this year despite the economic downturn.
"Planning and anticipating a holiday can sustain people through the winter months and the bleak financial times that are upon us."
Meanwhile, budget airline easyJet has reported a 16.6% increase in customers flying to ski destinations which are currently enjoying some of the best snow in Europe for years.
The EssentialTravel.co.uk warned that many young British skiers and snowboarders who ski after drinking do not realise their insurance will not cover them if they are found to be drunk.
And the InsureandGo said that 25% of UK skiers and snowboarders suffered from "piste envy", the term coined to describe the situation where skiers or snowboarders push themselves beyond their capabilities because of jealousy of others' abilities on the slopes.
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