- British Airways research proves how Brits is missing out on valuable time away from work
- 69 per cent of Brits did not take a two-week holiday in 2017
- One-third of working Brits have lost leave days
- 81 per cent of Brits revisit a holiday destination more than once and EIGHT TIMES on average
- More than a third of Brits afraid to take two weeks holiday due to work stigma
- Brits take two holidays abroad a year, compared to the Japanese who take eight, Indians who take seven and UAE residents who take six
LONDON, UK, 2018-Jan-16 — /Travel PR News/ — Brits are a nation of holiday commitment-phobes and creatures of habit when it comes to travel, new research by British Airways has found. A study from the airline to celebrate their January Sale, found that shockingly, more than half of the working population (52 per cent) have left over holiday allowance and 22 million workers have ended up losing days from their hard-earned allowance completely. With almost a week (four days) being lost by Brits on average, the research proves how the nation is missing out on valuable time away from work.
It may come as no surprise that one of the main reasons for Brits not taking their full quota of annual leave was due to being busy at work (49 per cent), followed by almost a fifth (16 per cent) feeling guilty for using all their holiday allowance each year. This could explain why an eye-watering 69 per cent of people did not take a two-week holiday last year.
Refused the right to relax, 33 per cent of Brits were unable to get the time off work to enjoy a longer break and more than one in three Brits (35 per cent) have not been on a two-week holiday for more than two years as it seems finding a work-life balance does not come easy.
It seems the nation is mostly made up of creatures of habit, as a staggering 81 per cent of Brits have been back to the same holiday destination more than once, visiting their favourite destination eight times on average. The over 55s are the worst culprits with 91 per cent are most likely to re-visit a favourite location year after year than venture further afield to adventures new.
Over a third (38 per cent) believe that two-week holidays are frowned on, or discouraged at their workplace and even when we do manage to seek out some sunshine, 62 per cent of the UK population noted that on their return they felt as if they had not managed to properly “switch-off”. More than half of holidaymakers (56 per cent) admitted to spending a lot of their holiday thinking about work and wider commitments. On top of this, sadly a fifth (20 per cent) admitted they came back home dreading their return to work.
It seems Brits are reluctant to jet off in general, as holidaymakers in the UK went on the least number of breaks abroad in 2017, compared to our international counterparts*. With almost half of Britons (41 per cent) spending on average five to nine days on holiday abroad, after only one week on holiday over half (52 per cent) felt they had not had a long enough break, with 55 per cent wishing they had spent more time at their destination during their time on holiday abroad.
Nick Hewer, ex-advisor on The Apprentice said: “As an employer, a happy work force is key to having an efficient working environment and most importantly, a successful business. Employees need time off work to unwind and relax to perform to the best they can and it’s really surprising that so many UK employees not only fail to take two weeks annual leave, but when they do, find it hard to switch off and enjoy their time out of the office.”
Matt Armstrong, a British Airways Holidays spokesperson said: “Going on a summer holiday is always exciting. We all enjoy watching the countdown to our holiday date creep closer, yet it seems we’re reluctant to venture somewhere new. Many of us return to the same destination, and maybe that is down to lack of time to plan our holidays, as work commitments take over. If you keep revisiting the same destination year after year it feels like your trip goes quicker, as new holiday experiences make you feel like you have been away from your usual routine for longer.
“Booking a flight and hotel or flight and car hire package and using technology like a holiday finder tool is a great way to simplify the process and make researching and booking as seamless as possible. We want to encourage as many Brits as possible to embrace their holidays and sense of adventure and try something new this summer – it’s time to commit to our holidays.”
For those ready to commit to a summer holiday in 2018, the most popular trips Brits are longing for are a European beach break (45 per cent), followed by a European city break (40 per cent), a long-haul flight to the Caribbean (25 per cent) and 15 per cent would like to go on an American road trip.
For those looking to take advantage of the huge savings currently available, British Airways is on sale until midnight on January 30 and BA Holidays has compiled a list of the best value breaks away…
· Dubai – British Airways Holidays offers three nights at the 4* Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Mall Of The Emirates, from £329 per person, travelling May 1 – May 31. Includes World Traveller return flights from London Heathrow and accommodation with breakfast. Book by January 30. For reservations visit ba.com/dubai or call 0344 493 0123.
· Venice from £99 pp – British Airways Holidays offers two nights at the 3* Centrale Hotel (Mestre), from £99 per person, travelling January 8 – March 28. Includes Euro Traveller return flights from London Gatwick to Venice and accommodation. Book by January 30. For reservations visit ba.com/citybreaks or call 0344 493 0125.
· Faro from £189 pp – British Airways Holidays offers seven nights at the 3* Studio 17 by Atlantic Hotels, from £189 per person, travelling on selected dates between 10 April 2018 – 20 May 2018 and in October 2018. Includes Euro Traveller return flights from London Gatwick to Faro and accommodation. Book by January 30. For reservations visit ba.com/beach or call 0344 493 0125.
· Family holidays to Faro from £179 pp – British Airways Holidays offers seven nights at the 3* Vilanova Resort, from £179 per person based on 2 adults and 2 children, travelling February 2 – March 31. Includes Euro Traveller return flights from London Gatwick to Faro and accommodation. Book by January 30. For reservations visit ba.com/family or call 0344 493 0125.
· Malta from £169 pp – British Airways Holidays offers seven nights at the 3* Porto Azzurro Aparthotel, from £169 per person, travelling January 7 – March 20. Includes Euro Traveller return flights from London Gatwick to Malta and accommodation. Book by January 30. For reservations visit ba.com/wintersun or call 0344 493 0125.
· New York – British Airways Holidays offers three nights at the 3* Marrakech Hotel, from £449 per person, travelling February 1 – February 28. Includes World Traveller return flights from London Heathrow and accommodation. Book by January 30. For reservations visit ba.com/newyork or call 0344 493 0122.
· Las Vegas – British Airways Holidays offers seven nights at the 3* Circus Circus Hotel, Casino & Theme Park / Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, from £499 per person, travelling November 1 – November 27. Includes World Traveller return flights from London Heathrow and accommodation. Book by January 30. For reservations visit ba.com/las-vegas or call 0344 493 0122.
· Orlando – British Airways Holidays offers seven nights at the 3* Ramada Hotel Gateway, from £489 per person, travelling November 5 – November 28. Includes World Traveller return flights from London Gatwick and accommodation. Book by January 30. For reservations visit ba.com/orlando or call 0344 493 0124.
· Mauritius – British Airways Holidays offers seven nights at the 3* Coin de Mire, from £779 per person, travelling June 1 – June 30. Includes World Traveller return flights from London Gatwick to Mauritius and accommodation with breakfast. Book by January 30. For reservations visit ba.com/mauritius or call 0344 493 0778.
· Barbados – British Airways Holidays offers seven nights at the 3* Rostrevor Hotel, from £529 per person, travelling September 1 – October 11. Includes World Traveller return flights from London Gatwick to Barbados and accommodation. Book by January 30. For reservations visit ba.com/barbados or call 0344 493 0120.
· Abu Dhabi – British Airways Holidays offers three nights at the 4* Le Meridien Abu Dhabi, from £349 per person, travelling May 14 – June 13. Includes World Traveller return flights from London Heathrow and accommodation. Book by January 30. For reservations visit ba.com/abudhabi or call 0344 493 0123.
· Cancun – British Airways Holidays offers seven nights at the 4* Allegro Playacar, from £799 per person, travelling June 1 – June 30. Includes World Traveller return flights from London Gatwick and accommodation with All Inclusive. Book by January 30. For reservations visit ba.com or call 0344 493 0120.
Source: British Airways
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