Brits wish they weren’t at home for Christmas

A record 2.5 million Briton’s plan to flee the country this Christmas taking with them a huge £727 million worth of presents, according to new research commissioned by Halifax Travel Insurance.

With all those presents in tow Halifax Travel Insurance is urging Christmas Travellers to ensure that they have adequate insurance to cover their belongings against theft, loss or damage. Halifax Travel Insurance witnesses a significant increase in claims after Christmas. The average personal baggage claim for January soars by a massive 48% - from its 12-monthly average of £560 to £830. The scale of the rise in insurance claims after Christmas closely correlates with the £293 worth of presents that the average Christmas Traveller will take abroad with them this year in addition to their normal luggage.

The number of people choosing to spend Christmas abroad has grown steadily over the past five years, and Halifax Travel Insurance’s research found that 47% of these Christmas Travellers are doing so to visit friends or family living abroad.

Many other Britons are simply looking for an alternative festive experience and to use the Christmas break as an opportunity to take a holiday. One in four (26%) will flee the country in order to escape ‘Christmas mania’. One-in-five (22%) are tired of the British weather and want to spend Christmas in a warm and sunny location. Other reasons include avoiding cooking (2%) and to escape the family (2%). A further 2% say that with the great offers available from low cost airlines Christmas has become cheaper to celebrate abroad than at home.

Most Christmas holidaymakers will be traveling with their family (63%) or friends (12%). 23% will travel alone and an unenvied 2% will travel with a colleague, presumably to spend Christmas working abroad.

The most desirable Christmas travel destinations, chosen by 52% of those traveling abroad, offer Winter sun - such as the Canary Islands, Florida, Egypt, the Caribbean, Australia and India. City breaks are the next most popular with 35%, more popular than winter sports locations such as the Alps chosen by 13%.

Vicky Watson at Halifax Travel Insurance, commented: “Britons no longer feel compelled to spend Christmas in the traditional fashion. More and more people want to use the time off work as another opportunity to indulge their passion for travel. However it’s good to know that while the scenery of a traditional Christmas may be changing, the desire to celebrate with friends and family remains strong.”

Vicky continued: “Travellers should be warned that each January we see a substantial rise in claims for Christmas presents that have been lost, stolen or damaged abroad. Travellers must make sure that they have adequate travel insurance to cover replacement costs before traveling.”