Economic meltdown drives parents back to UK holidays

The UK’s traditional seaside towns are set to be some of the few net gainers from the credit crunch and economic turmoil. New research from insurance specialists Towergate Bakers reveals that 65% of Britons will be switching to cheap UK holidays over the next 12 months to beat the credit crunch - and our coastal towns return to favour as top holiday choices.

At a time when the economic downturn has rocked major tour operators - and when a variety of cost of living hikes have hit family disposable income - the new research suggests long haul and expensive package holidays overseas face a tough year ahead, as British consumers choose to spend their money in the UK, giving a surprise boost to UK tourism and the economy at large.

As part of a new study into UK and drive holidays, Towergate Bakers asked a GB representative sample of more than 2,000 people what sort of holidays for the year ahead they were planning in order to avoid getting further into debt.

The Findings:

With 65% of Brits choosing a cheap UK break in the year ahead to avoid sliding into needless debt, the most popular overall UK holiday choices comprised: Cottage holiday 26%; UK seaside town break 23%; caravan/caravan park 20% and camping 17%.

Caravan holidays are the top choice UK break for couples or parents in their 30’s – 21%. Dispelling the myth that caravans and caravan parks are a pastime for retirees, caravan breaks are now most popular with young families.

For the under 25 ‘festival generation’ camping is the top choice budget holiday – 32% - young Brits preferring the great outdoors to the comfort of a B&B or a holiday cottage. People in their 20’s are almost most likely to take to the water with a slow moving barge holiday – 11%.

The seaside town revival is most prevalent among 20 and 30 year olds – 27%. Regionally, people in the Midlands – those furthest away from the seaside - are the people most likely to opt for a UK seaside break.

Paul Havenhand, Marketing Director at Towergate Bakers Insurance commented: “As the UK’s leading caravan insurer we have noticed a return to popularity of traditional UK holidays. Young parents often have nostalgic memories of their own childhood holidays and this combined with the economic downturn will create a boom in UK holidays in the year ahead. For families planning a UK break we do recommend they check their insurance arrangements, especially if it’s going to be their first caravan holiday.”