Holiday nation - Britons early to book holiday escapes

23.5 million people in Britain (50% of adults) are planning overseas holiday escapes during 2015, and 22.1 million (47%) are planning a holiday within the UK, according to research from Sainsbury’s Travel Insurance. A significant number of these potential holidaymakers (41%) intend to do both. On average those planning on booking a holiday in 2015 say they will spend £806 on the cost of the holiday alone, before add-ons and spending money.

7.4 million ‘early bookers’, 21% of those intending to book a holiday in the UK or abroad, will have booked their main holiday by the end of this year, including 14% who have already booked and a further 7% who plan to book by the end of 2014. Another one in seven (14%) intends to book during January 2015.

Scott Gorman of Sainsbury’s Travel Insurance commented: “We’d encourage savvy early bookers to shop around for travel insurance at the same time as their holiday deal, or even in advance of, booking their holiday.  Comparing policies on a like-for-like basis, as well as on price, will give you peace of mind you’ve got the right level of cover for you and your family.

“One in four of those planning to go away will book independently, going direct to their chosen airline and accommodation providers, compared to just 13% who say they will book through a travel agent. Those booking independently should ensure they have good quality independent traveller cover as they won’t benefit from protection under the ATOL scheme.”

Overall, city breaks are the most popular form of holiday for 2015, planned by 38% of adults, followed by beach holidays (35%), walking holidays (14%) and cruises (12%).

More than one in eight (13%) say they have saved all year to get the holiday they want, while one in ten (9%) will pay for their holiday with a credit card to spread the cost.