It’s the continent for Christmas!

With 19 shopping days left to Christmas, British Christmas shoppers have voted the traditional Christmas Markets in Germany and France as their most popular Christmas shopping destination in a survey by American Express Insurance Services.

Last year in the run up to Christmas (October – December) Britons made over 11m visits to Europe and over one million to North America, spending just over £8bn.

Joanne Field, Marketing Manager, American Express Insurance Services: “Low cost air travel, the increased use of annual travel insurance and a strong pound has meant that Britons can literally shop last minute as easily in Paris or even New York as they can in London.

“We are seeing more and more customers combining their Christmas shopping with a short break. However, all of their great savings can disappear in excess luggage charges or worse still, lost luggage”.

Lost luggage complaints have risen 15% in the last twelve months; it is one of the top three claims for American Express Travel Insurance with the average claim costing £580.

For further details of American Express Insurance Services and its policies, go on-line at americanexpress.co.uk/travelquote.