Holiday allowance gone before you know it

Just 4% of people surveyed by holidaylettings.co.uk have any holiday allowance to carry over to the next year. The surveyed questioned over 1,000 holidaymakers using the site to search for accommodation and comes just as the government announces changes to the statutory holiday allowance*.

36% of 45-55 year olds said they use all their holiday allowance and 29% of the same age group said they would take more holidays if they could afford it. Asked why they research and book holidays online, the same group said it was more cost effective (74%), offered greater flexibility (68%) and a wider choice of accommodation (63%).

17% of respondents said they would take more holidays if their employer allowed; 66% of which were aged 35-55. The same group of people like to take a range of holidays: 34% take up to five short breaks (3-5 nights) during the year, 32% take up to three one week holidays and 29% like to include a two week break. Only 4% of those who would take more holidays if they were allowed go away for three weeks or more.

Asked where they spent their holidays, 35% said they take two overseas holidays per year; 68% of those were aged 35-55 and earn £20,000 - £40,000 per annum. 37% said they take 1 UK based break per annum, 61% of which also aged 35-55 but quoted salaries of up to £30,000 per annum.

“The volume of people taking short breaks could be a result of economy airlines offering deals on flight to new destinations. Encouraging the concept of short breaks also prompts people to take more holidays, creating long weekends by taking an additional Friday and Monday off work,” commented Ross Elder, MD of holidaylettings.co.uk. “It is also interesting to see, however, that lower earners are choosing to holiday predominantly in the UK rather than opt for cheap flight deals and cheaper overseas accommodation.”

* Direct.gov.uk