Travel
Research recently released by Club Med found that taking an all-inclusive holiday which offers sunshine, lounging by the beach or pool, the opportunity to catch up on sleep and enjoy good food and a book are the essential ingredients in creating a stress-free holiday.
The online survey undertaken on behalf of Club Med UK by YouGov, canvassed the views of more than 2,000 people across the country, providing a snapshot of the purchasing decisions of British holidaymakers. The omnibus survey followed initial research undertaken in 2008/09, by Club Med UK and demonstrates that holidays are just as important now as they were then with 76% of all respondents viewing a holiday as fairly important or very important.
Of the 2,079 adults polled, 29% chose sunshine as the best tonic for de-stressing. Sunshine was followed by lounging by the beach or pool (20%), catching up on sleep (11%), and enjoying good food (11%) and a good book (10%) - suggesting that it is the simple things in life that appeal most to holidaymakers.
With the cost of a holiday high in people’s minds, 49% highlighted the cost as being the most stressful aspect of booking a holiday. Research and booking a holiday can also be stressful, however 41% of respondents thought that going on an all-inclusive holiday was the least stressful when compared to a holiday booking flights and accommodation separately, with 9% stating that booking all the elements separately would be the least stressful, suggesting that an inclusive package is the preferred option for British travellers.
The most stressful elements of the holiday itself were the journey pre and post trip (51%), followed by the escalating costs whilst on holiday (36%), suggesting that holidaymakers are worried about holiday spending getting out of hand.
The way Brits research their holiday is changing as a result of the economic climate - the poll demonstrates that Brits are becoming even more of a nation of savvy consumers, when asked which one holiday deal they used the most, 22% defy the late booking trend by taking advantage of early booking offers, whilst 19% take advantage of off peak discounts.