City breaks overtook beach holidays as the most popular type of vacation for British travellers, research revealed on Tuesday.
A total of 40 per cent of people who took a break in the last 12 months headed for a UK or international city, up eight points on the previous year.
By comparison, 34 per cent opted for sea and sand – the same as the previous year, according to Abta’s annual holiday habits report.
The research, based on a sample of 2,000 Britons, found 84 per cent had taken a holiday in the last year – only a few points below pre-pandemic averages.
Of these, 52 per cent had taken a holiday abroad.
But in a positive sign for the travel and tourism industry, 64 per cent of respondents said they planned to travel internationally next year – which would return foreign travel to its 2019 peak.
Spain was the most popular destination, with 33 per cent of respondents visiting in the last 12 months, followed by France (20 per cent), Italy (16 per cent) and USA (15 per cent).
Looking ahead, similar numbers plan to visit these countries next year – with Japan entering the top 10 for the first time, with four per cent of travellers planning a trip.
Abta experts said this was believed to be due to “pent-up demand” caused by Japan being one of the last countries to lift covid travel restrictions.
Despite cost of living pressures, Britons remained keen to take a holiday but were said to “know their budget” – meaning they did not opt for the cheapest deal but the best trip available that matched their spending capacity.
People are planning to cut back on eating out, leisure activities and clothes shopping in order to afford a holiday.
“Holidays are still a spending priority,” Abta communications director Graeme Buck said.
The survey found a growing concern about sustainable travel, though there was a “say/do gap” between the number of people expressing concerns and those who then changed their travel habits.
A total of 12 per cent of travellers took transport other than a flight to their holiday destination, while 17 per cent said they chose a destination closer to the UK.
The main area of concern, expressed by 68 per cent of respondents, was about animal welfare abroad, followed by waste and plastic pollution and the preservation of culture and heritage.
It also suggested a growing demand for year-round travel, with May and June expected to be the busiest months next year, ahead of July and August, the traditional peak.
Mark Tanzer, chief executive at Abta, said: “Over the past 12 months, household budgets have continued to be stretched by the rising cost of living while travel has been hit by a variety of challenges – including wildfires and an unprecedented air traffic control outage.
“Despite this, people’s commitment to their holidays, and their confidence in travel, remain strong.”
