Summer holiday? Not this year, say 17million Britons facing money worries

Summer holiday? Not this year, say 17million Britons facing money worries - The downturn has put paid to many Britons’ summer plans, with two in five foregoing their annual getaway in a bid to protect their finances, a survey has found.

Some 39 per cent – the equivalent of 17.7million – will value a healthy bank balance more than a break by the beach, up by 2.7million on the 33 per cent who gave up their holidays during the height of the credit crunch in 2008.

Figures already show the number of foreign holidays taken by British families is down 3 per cent in the 12 months to April compared with the year before.

Thing of the past: 17 million Britons will value a healthy bank balance than a break by the beach this summer

And the trend is likely to continue, as air fares increase and holiday companies put up their prices by 40 per cent once the country’s schools break up for the summer.

In theory, this should be good news for holiday regions such as Cornwall and Devon – but many domestic hotels and holiday parks are proving to be too expensive for Britons worried about their finances.

The poll found that nine in ten of those who are going without a summer holiday this year are those people who would normally take a break in this country.

By contrast, there is some good news for camp sites, which have enjoyed a boom in bookings to highs not seen since the 1950s. The study was conducted by finance giant ING Direct which said those people who are taking a summer holiday are making efforts to save up to cover the cost, rather than simply putting it on a credit card.

At the same time, more than half of those taking a formal holiday said they will make an effort to spend less, most probably by cutting back on eating out.

ING Direct spokesman Richard Doe said: ‘It’s clear that a tough economic climate is causing consumers to pull off a very difficult balancing act – cutting down on debt while dealing with rising prices.

‘So it’s not surprising that the summer holiday is often being sacrificed.
‘However, it is certainly a good thing that consumers are adopting a more sensible approach to holiday planning, saving in advance for their trips, rather than entirely relying on the plastic.’

The popularity of ‘staycations’ – vacations in the UK – has sparked a craze for ‘glamping’, or glamorous camping.

Airbeds, champagne and even the best china from home are now on many Britons’ packing lists as they head to campsites, a study of professionals has found.

And bog-standard tents, with their leaky corners and cramped, sweaty conditions, are being replaced by trendy teepees and yurts – Mongolian-style shelters made from wooden lattices covered with felt.

Portable toilets, electricity points for mobile phone chargers, hair straighteners and even fridges to chill the bubbly are also considered necessities, the research by insurer Hiscox revealed.

Rapid rise: Campsites have enjoyed a boom on bookings as Britons tighten their purse strings on hotel holidays ( dailymail.co.uk )