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Travelation: The hidden triggers that get holidaymakers to book a holiday

20th September 2015 Print

Leading European escorted tour operator Leger Holidays has discovered the top “Travelation” moments of holidaymakers across the nation – revealing there is a single trigger moment where people decide to book a holiday.

Two out of three Brits have admitted to acting on their “Travelation”, with the top reasons for booking a holiday being film and television (27 per cent), followed by a life event or illness (24 per cent) and seeing social media updates from friends and family (17 per cent).

Mamma Mia! came out top as the film most likely to inspire people to visit its filming location of Greece at 17 per cent, closely followed by ‘The Hobbit’ and New Zealand, at 16 per cent. Books were also amongst the top triggers inspiring people to book a holiday, with almost a third of people saying The Beach by Alex Garland has inspired them to travel.

And despite all the temptation, conversely stress at work has prevented almost a third of us (28 per cent) from booking a holiday at all.

Ian Henry, Managing Director at Leger Holidays, said: “It’s fascinating to see that there’s a real trend in impulse buying in the holiday market, and identifying the single moment that triggers us to book a holiday. We wanted to find out exactly what it is that influences that moment and coin a phrase that people start to use in regular conversation when talking about their holiday habits.

“Interestingly, stress at work seems to be a barrier for booking holidays. With Leger Holidays we can do all the legwork for you right from booking to the day you step off the coach, meaning the worry and hassle of everything else can be forgotten.”

Leger Holidays has recently launched its new holidays for 2016, including 13 new Grand Explorer tours – a collection of premium escorted tours offering a special experience to travellers with memorable destinations, amazing sights and unique landscapes.

Simon Calder, travel writer and broadcaster, was encouraged by the research: “I’m delighted to see the passion for travel among the British is so strong - and that people are acting on impulse in the best possible way. A film, a chance conversation or a tweet can trigger a decision to go.

“There’s an increasing awareness that experiences are more valuable than possessions. And whether your set your heart on a Christmas Market in Europe, an exploration of classical Greece or the Canadian Rockies, travel rewards you in anticipation and rich memories as well as the experience itself.”

Grand Explorer Fact Boxes

Discover New Zealand – 22 days from £4950* per person

New Zealand is perhaps one of the most enchanting and fairytale like countries in the world. On this tour you can experience its majestic mountains, dormant volcanoes and deep forested valleys – the perfect destination for that once in a lifetime holiday. Fly to Auckland where you will experience a highlights tour, exploring the waterfront, museums and the Sky Tower. Then onto the Bay of Islands, Waitomo and Rotorua, plus many more. The tour finishes in Christchurch where you’ll experience some spectacular sights.

Price: from £4950 per person*. Includes 18 nights’ accommodation, 15 evening meals and 18 breakfasts. Return flights to New Zealand included and air-conditioned coach travel and Driver/Guide. *Includes early booking special offer

Classical Greece – Athens, Mycenae & Olympia – 16 days from £1529* per person

Explore Greece’s unrivalled archaelogical treasures and beautiful sun-drenched coast on this 16 day tour. Arrive at Meteora, one of the most impressive sites in Greece, where you’ll see gigantic rock formations. Experience an included guided tour of Athens and an optional day cruise to the stunning Saronic Islands of Aegina, Poros and Hydra and finish the tour in Olympia – the home of the first ever Olympic games.

Price: from £1529 per person*. Includes 13 nights’ accommodation with continental breakfast and 9 evening meals. Overnight ferry included plus join from over 500 convenient regional joining points with the option to travel by Executive or Silver Service coach. *Includes early booking special offer

Lisbon, Porto, Fatima and Portugal's Picturesque 'Silver' Coast – 9 days from £799* per person
Portugal's 'Silver' Coast offers superb sandy beaches, along with many historic towns and villages to discover. Combine this with stays in the fascinating capital of Lisbon and visits to Porto & the pilgrimage town of Fatima. On this Grand Explorer tour, fly to Lisbon where you will experience an included guided tour of the city and its sights, before heading to Sintra and Cascais and its 10th century castle. Finish in the pretty town of Coimbra where you’ll experience a Fado Show with traditional Portuguese Music.

Price: from £799 per person*. Includes eight nights’ accommodation, eight evening meals and continental breakfast. Flights to Lisbon included and coach travel. *Includes early booking special offer

For full details about the above tours, or other tours offered by Leger Holidays, visit leger.co.uk.