Brits Find Holiday Planning a Headache
The lead up to a holiday should be an exciting time, but for over a quarter of Brits the planning, booking and preparation is a source of great stress.
It presents a catalogue of concerns that range from the more serious, such as finding somewhere that is within budget, to the more practical, such as packing enough pairs of knickers (for women), according to a new study.
The study, commissioned by travel comparison site KAYAK.co.uk, examines which elements of the holiday booking process Brits find the most taxing.
The amount of things that people stress about when preparing for a holiday is incredible. The anticipation of a break should be exciting and positive as you look forward to relaxing and recharging....
It also reveals that young 18-25 year old females from London are most at risk of suffering from the holiday stress factor, whilst older males (66 plus) from the East of England are the most chilled out.
Contrary to popular belief that the younger generation is more adventurous and carefree, the study identifies they are amongst the most worrisome when it comes to organising a holiday, with nearly half confessing that the entire process really stresses them out.
Nearly a third of this age group stumbles at the first hurdle finding it a challenge to agree where to go with friends. They then spend the lead up to the holiday worrying about a series of factors that range from making sure the resort lives up to expectations and getting to the airport on time.
It seems these youngsters would do well to take a leaf out of the book of their more laid back elders, 82 per cent of which find planning a holiday a breeze.
Whilst the study reveals a number of key stress factors in the holiday planning stages, making sure that all of the essentials are packed was one of the top concerns for 13 per cent of Brits.
Unsurprisingly, forgetting travel documents topped the league table of items for two thirds of Brits, followed closely by making sure they have packed the right sort of clothes and medication.
The results also affirm the strong bond between a woman and her shoes, as packing enough pairs was a top concern for almost a quarter of British females.
Annie Wilson, UK MD of KAYAK.co.uk, said: “The amount of things that people stress about when preparing for a holiday is incredible. The anticipation of a break should be exciting and positive as you look forward to relaxing and recharging the batteries.
“At KAYAK we want to make this process as painless as possible by providing a superior online travel search service. We’ve also pulled together some handy hints and tips based on the key pain points identified in the study.”
In the unthinkable event of forgetting to pack an essential belonging, most Brits said they would respond calmly by purchasing the item at the airport or when they arrive at their destination.
It comes as no surprise however that for one in 10 of the stressed out 18-25 year olds the default response would be to panic.
It would seem the worry doesn’t end there with Brits then contending with the apprehension of what may befall them whilst away. Falling ill is a main concern for over a quarter of holidaymakers, whilst six per cent stress about having to deal with badly behaved children.
Brits are also advised to choose their travelling companions wisely as arguing with friends or family on holiday is a big concern for 10 per cent.
It’s not all doom and gloom however. The study suggests an ebb and flow of stress in the lead up to a holiday and pinpoints the problem areas that Brits need to look out for.
Planning is a key stressful time, but once the holiday is booked Brits appear to relax, with 81 per cent claiming this period is calmer. Yet this respite doesn’t seem to last long.
As the holiday approaches the pressure begins to mount again as holidaymakers start to worry about the logistics of preparing to go away, such as getting to the airport on time, making sure things will be alright at home, and ensuring the holiday lives up to expectations.
For a perfect break check out 5 Quick Tips for a Stress-Free Break.
What is the most stressful aspect of holidays for you? Tell us in the comments or tweet us @FemaleFirst_UK