Brits Refuse to let Olympics Disrupt Summer Holiday Plans This Year

CHESTER, England, March 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

90 per cent of Brits say Olympics will have no impact at all on their summer travel plans

Just five per cent will be impacted by European Football Championships or Queen's Diamond Jubilee

Results revealed in 2012 Travel Trends Tracker from TravelSupermarket

We've all been warned that the 2012 Olympics is going to have a big impact on Brits' transport and holiday plans this summer but research from comparison site TravelSupermarket has revealed that the majority of Brits are adopting a 'keep calm and carry on' attitude, with nine out of ten (90 per cent) saying that the Olympics won't affect their holiday plans this summer at all.

And it's not just the Olympics that have been touted a potential issue for British getaways, as the Diamond Jubilee and the European Football Championships also take place this summer. However the research has revealed that these events combined will affect just five per cent of Brits' travel plans. The results are taken from TravelSupermarket's Travel Trends Tracker - a survey of 5,000 Brits, which is now available here: Link to Travel Trends Tracker

Of those who are affected by the Olympics, 40 per cent said that they would stay at home to make sure they can watch the Olympics on television, with an additional 30 per cent staying put as they have tickets to events. Twelve per cent of Brits affected said they would be staying the UK rather than going on holiday in order to soak up the atmosphere of the Olympics being in Britain for the first time since 1948.

In light of the fact that the majority of Brits say they will be completely unaffected by the Olympics, TravelSupermarket asked them about their plans for their main 2012 break. The research revealed that value will be key when it comes to holidays in 2012. Despite purse strings being tighter than in 2011, Brits are prioritising their holidays with 96 per cent stating that they will be taking at least one main holiday in 2012, up from the 91 per cent who got away in 2011.

These findings are backed up by 42 per cent of Brits who have identified price as their number one holiday consideration, beating typical factors such as weather (chosen by 32 per cent) and accommodation (26 per cent). Price was considered most important for young couples with children, and was identified by 51 per cent of those surveyed.

In order to pay for their holidays this year, many Brits will be relying on 'the plastic' and existing savings. A fifth (19 per cent) of those surveyed said they would use their credit cards to pay for their main holiday in 2012 and a further 46 per cent said they will have to dip into savings to get away. Forty per cent of Brits said they will be able to afford a holiday on their 2012 disposable income.

In 2011, Brits said they spent on average £829 on their main holiday (flights and accommodation), but in 2012 they said holiday budgets are set to drop to an average £642. Despite this, Brits say they will be looking to go on a longer break this year, with over half (51 per cent) planning on taking a main holiday of over a week.

When it comes to where Brits will be heading this summer, old favourites are seeing a resurgence this summer. One in 10 Brits (11 per cent) will flock to Spain this year and a further six per cent will visit Portugal or Italy.

Bob Atkinson, travel expert from TravelSupermarket commented: "Brits place a very high value on their main summer break and many will have been expecting a huge event like the Olympics to have a massive impact on summer holiday plans in 2012. In reality, nine out of ten Brits refuse to let anything get in the way of their traditional summer break. Not even a once-in-a-generation event such as the Olympic Games.

"However with extensive coverage of London and the UK on British television with both the Olympics and the Queen's Jubilee, we could well see a surge in interest in staycations if a feel good factor kicks in. And of course we could also see an increase in inbound tourism to British tourist hotspots off the back of these events.

"The research has shown that for the majority of Brits who do go away this year, value for money will be the main theme as they, as a whole, have less to spend than last year. In fact value is so important this year that 'price' was highlighted as the main consideration for the majority of Brits.

"It is important for holidaymakers to do their research and make sure they shop around for the best deals. Using comparison sites is also a great way to be sure you are getting the best value for money available. For example, TravelSupermarket data has revealed that using our website to compare providers will save on average £150 per holiday - that's a lot of spending money you could have in your pocket."  

Notes to Editors:

*Opinium Research carried out an online survey of 5,187 UK adults, on behalf of TravelSupermarket.com, aged 18+ from 9 to 23 November 2011. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria

About TravelSupermarket

TravelSupermarket is an online comparison service where customers can find the best value travel options for their needs and purchase over the internet. The website compares flights, car hire, hotels, cruise, package holidays plus dynamic packaging by searching hundreds of travel websites. The information supplied is unbiased and is designed to save the customer time and money.

The site thrives on offering its users accurate real time availability by taking information directly from suppliers such as Opodo, British Airways, Thomas Cook, Radisson, Sol Melia, easyCar, Auto-Europe and many more, ensuring users are presented the best possible price at all times. It searches:

• Over 650 scheduled, low cost and charter airlines from 39 individual suppliers
• Over 200,000 individual hotels from over 42 individual hotel suppliers
• Over 200 individual car hire providers from over 21 suppliers
• 1,000s of individual package holidays from over 34 suppliers

Additionally, travelsupermarket.com also compares prices on travel insurance and on airport car parking.

TravelSupermarket is part of the Moneysupermarket.com Group PLC.

http://www.moneysupermarket.com is a website where consumers can compare personal finance products, save money and apply online. The website has several service areas including personal loans, credit cards, mortgages, current accounts, savings accounts, motor insurance, home insurance, travel insurance, health insurance, mobile phones, broadband and shopping.

For further press information contact:
Chris Bull or Alice Dodge
3 Monkeys Communications
travelsupermarket@3-monkeys.co.uk
+44(0)20-7009-3100

Emma Morris
TravelSupermarket
emma.morris@travelsupermarket.com
+44(0)1244-220-671