All Inclusive Holidays Could Save Cash-strapped Brits £403 Million Each Year Whilst Abroad

LONDON, January 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Consumers want budget certainty in an age of uncertainty in 2012, as 74% consider an All Inclusive holidays
Over half of UK holidaymakers overspend on holiday
40% claim ability to pre-budget as main reason for going All Inclusive

More and more Brits are opting to go all inclusive 2012, as over half of holidaymakers (57%) overspent whilst on holiday last year, costing the UK's consumers a staggering £403m. The new research¹ released today by First Choice shows that British holidaymakers are struggling to control of their holiday budgets and overlook exchange rates and extra costs whilst abroad. The biggest causes of overspending on holiday are evening meals (42%), daytime snacks and drinks (31%) and evening drinks at the bar (27%) - all of which are included in the cost of an all-inclusive holiday.

With value leading the way in 2012 as the driving factor behind holiday bookings (40%) and over 74% considering an all-inclusive holiday this year according to the British Travel Association², Brits will welcome First Choice's bold move to become the Home of All Inclusive. In five years (2004-2009) the all-inclusive holiday market has grown by 32%, according to latest research from Mintel³ and research from First Choice shows a family of four can save £511 per week on an All Inclusive Holiday versus a bed and breakfast only trip⁴.

The 'First Choice Holiday Spending Study', conducted in association with the Centre of Economic and Business Research (Cebr), also shows that overspending impacts the lives of over half of Brits (52%) when they return from non all-inclusive holidays. It reveals that 1 in 4 have to cut back on things such as the weekly food bill (26%), and luxuries such as weekend socialising (28%) when back in the UK.

Commenting on the First Choice Holiday Spending Study, Douglas McWilliams Chief Executive of leading financial institution the Cebr, says:

"The figure of £403 million is surprising, particularly when people want budget certainty these days. It seems it is the little extra things on holiday that sometimes we don't even consider that really do add up and make a difference."

David Burling, Managing Director of TUI UK & Ireland comments:

"Many of our customers will have overspent at Christmas, but they can go on all inclusive holiday knowing that this won't happen again. In the current climate, people want to leave their money worries behind when they go on holiday. All Inclusive is fast becoming the holiday of choice for many British consumers, offering them great value for money, and yet First Choice is the only mainstream holiday company offering a completely All Inclusive portfolio. We pride ourselves on listening to our customers and creating unique offers that reflect the need of each holidaymaker."

From summer 2012, all First Choice holidays will include flights, transfers, hotel accommodation, three meals a day and all local drinks as standard. Offering a range of holidays for different budgets, from 3 star to 5 star, customers will be able to choose from standard, added value resorts such as SplashWorld and Holiday Village, and premium properties.

Notes to editors

1. The First Choice Holiday Spending Survey was conducted in association with the Centre of Economic and Business Research   (Cebr) . Research was carried out by Opinion Matters between 7 and 13 December 2011 based on a sample of 1106 UK adults who have been on holiday abroad.

2. Figure quoted from the Travel Vision 2012 survey, conducted on behalf of the British Travel Awards in December 2011 (based on a sample of 21,204 voters).

3. Mintel Package Holidays Report - UK  2010

4. Figure quoted refers to the total difference in holiday cost including flight, transfers, accommodation, and spending money while abroad. First Choice sent a family of four to a 4* First Choice All Inclusive resort in Tenerife between 28^th March and 4^th April 2011, another family of four was sent to a similar standard hotel offered by another travel company on a B&B basis for the same period and the average spending costs of the two families were recorded and analysed.