A UK-based staycation is not always the cheaper option for anyone looking for budget holidays, says new research commissioned by travel experts On the Beach. The holiday experts also reveal steps people have considered, in order to afford their well-earned breaks.
On the Beach say their analysis based on a family of four taking a holiday during the October half-term found an all-inclusive package abroad - including transfers, flights, accommodation and ATOL protection - was on average £1,025 cheaper than a staycation. With more than 40% of people saying they plan to take a holiday in the UK specifically to save money, it means Brits could be collectively wasting £28 billion by unwittingly choosing a more expensive option to get away.
For example, a seven-day family break to Center Parcs in Sherwood Forest was found to cost an eye-watering £3,558. This is the cost of a lodge at £2,848 plus illustrative costs for food and activities.
In comparison, a week-long all-inclusive holiday to Greece was just £1,451. This is a difference of £2,107.
In another example, a week’s stay at a National Trust property in West Sussex, would have cost a family of four £2,709. In comparison, an all-inclusive stay at a four-star resort in Costa Dorada, Spain, would cost the same family £1,003 less, at £1,706.
Zoe Harris, chief customer officer at On the Beach, said: “Holidays give us a chance to escape the day-to-day and decompress. With all the gloomy news lately, hard-working families will understandably be keen to get away during the half-term break.
"But at a time when energy bills are sky-rocketing and the economy is faltering, people need to be careful with their money. It is worrying that so many people wrongly assume that a holiday in the UK will be cheaper than a trip abroad, as it could leave people hundreds if not thousands of pounds out of pocket.”
On the Beach say their research found two thirds (63%) of Brits say the cost of living, weak pound and economic turmoil has negatively affected their holiday plans. This has resulted in three quarters (75%) saying they will be making cut-backs on things they enjoy - like entertainment and nights out (41%), shopping for non-essentials (31%) and cutting Christmas spending (25%) - in order to go away.
When asked how they would save money on their next holiday, 41% said they would have a UK staycation instead of going abroad. In addition, 33% will make packed lunches instead of eating at hotels and restaurants, 27% will pack hand luggage only, 24% won’t pre-book seats for flights, 18% won’t tip service staff and 11% won’t be taking out travel insurance.
While some of these cost-cutting measures are prudent, others may be ineffective and could leave people far worse off. Zoe added: “With 70% of Brits saying that the most important thing to them about a holiday is good weather, and 76% prioritising cost, you have to wonder why anyone would pay a premium for a cold, soggy autumn holiday in the UK when they can enjoy drier, warmer weather at a fraction of the cost?
"Plus, with an all-inclusive holiday, budgeting becomes so much easier as you already know the total cost of your break. For the one in 10 people planning to ditch travel insurance to save money all I can say is - don’t.
"It is a false economy to save tens of pounds on a policy and forgo the significant financial protection that travel insurance can provide, should you need medical treatment or lose your belongings. If you’ve saved to enjoy a well-earned holiday, then my advice to you is to look beyond the borders of the UK to find not only better prices but better weather, new experiences, and new memories.”
To show how far people’s money can really go, experts at On the Beach have created the ‘Staycation Inflation’ calculator that compares popular UK staycation destinations with European holidays. It factors in the cost of travel including mileage, accommodation, entertainment and food, as well as important holiday features like weather.
The calculator shows that popular UK staycations are as much as 221% more expensive than a holiday abroad. To use On the Beach’s ‘Staycation Inflation’ calculator, and to read more money-saving holiday tips, visit www.staycationinflation.co.uk
