Relaxing with a good book on holiday
In recent times, there has been a new trend, something so fantastic we thought books were going to become extinct.E-books came around, flaunting the prospect of allowing the
owner to download millions of books and store them not in space-consuming bookshelves or boxes, but in a teeny tiny little electronic devices! But despite this up rise in the e-
book market, the Heathrow poll reveals that many holiday-makers prefer printed books in comparison to these magical space-saving e-readers. Who would of thought?
You have to admit though, there's a certain feeling you get from the traditional thumbing through real pages of a book, reading the back for the blurb, and even the smell of the
pages entices you to keep those text books over the electronic readers - which is why a huge 71% of travellers said they would pack a book over a thinner, electronic version.
It comes as no surprise then, that these nifty little e-readers are not the only thing travellers want to ditch. Over 1 in 10 people said they would completely leave all electronic devices such as laptops, smartphones and tablets behind and trade them in for Tolkien, Lewis and Salinger.
Out of the 2,000 people asked, 67% said they turn to friends and family for their reading recommendations, and find the suggestions on e-readers 'dull' or 'stereotypical'.
Retail Director Muriel Zingraff-Shariff said: “There’s no doubt that the popularity of eBooks has boomed in recent years, but when it comes to relaxing on holiday it seems you just can’t beat a good book. People want a break from technology whilst they’re abroad, so it’s understandable that people would rather swap their Blackberry for Malorie Blackman.”
Simon Smith, Managing Director at WHSmith Travel said: “Books remain a valuable part of people’s holiday experience. Our stores at Heathrow are always popular with customers and we’re delighted to continue to offer a great range of best-selling titles, airport exclusives and fantastic promotions to the 70 million passengers who fly through the airport each year.”
So all in all, books are still very much in fashion and will remain so regardless of the trendy technological devices that surface next.
Saima Omar - @Lookitssaima