Top packing habits of European holidaymakers
A survey into European holiday packing habits by Easyvoyage, Europe’s leading travel portal, has revealed that it is in fact the Spanish who are not able to go without their tea fix on their holidays. While many expect us British to be the biggest tea lovers, over 82% of Spanish holidaymakers compared to just 14% of Brits picked their herbal teabags as an essential item that they cannot travel without.
The survey also shows the Spaniards’ adventurous character with 63% picking their Swiss Army knife and 48% considering a snorkel as a vital item. All other nationalities chose the basic toothbrush, swimwear and camera as the most popular holiday essentials.
Cheeky Brits
It must be the prospect of sunshine that brings out the UK’s wild side. Less than one fifth of Brits pack sexy underwear while the Italian Casanovas are either more prudish or brazen when it comes to packing, with only 10% of respondents packing their naughty undies. Overall, the Brits, the Germans and the Spanish are the cheekiest packers with over 38% always packing sexual items. Interestingly, the Brits have also scored the highest at packing unnecessary items so perhaps this British habit needs to be rethought.
Disorganised Italians
It appears that the Italians are more prone to last minute packing frenzies with up to 39% admitting that everything is chosen randomly and stuffed in a suitcase. 41% of Germans and Spanish also prefer to get ready in one speedy hour.
The Brits can take comfort in this area as they beat all nationalities with 48% selecting, packing and ironing their clothes carefully in advance. This does not seem to have paid off however as it is the Brits along with the Spanish and the Germans who are most to blame for those long check-in queues with over 31% admitting that they tend to have a weight issue at the airport.
Efficient French
The French can pride themselves on travelling the lightest. The survey shows that they are the best at not exceeding the weight limit at an airport with over 86% confirming that this has not happened to them. The French also take the longest to pack for their holidays with over a third taking more than three hours to get ready. Perhaps other Europeans need to take their example and invest more time in packing.
Unprepared Germans
The legendary German efficiency may be myth as the Germans are more likely to over pack. German women could be the culprits as nearly 60% of them pack a suitcase for themselves and add further clothes in the suitcases of their partners. This could also explain why German luggage is so heavy. Nearly 79% of Germans have also admitted that they pack far too much and do not wear half of what they bring with them. On the other hand, nearly 35% of Spanish couples are most happy to pack one piece of luggage for two.
Spanish big spenders
On the spending front, the Spanish tend to spend the most on their holiday preparations with 17% spending more than a whopping 200 Euros on holiday items. On average, all Europeans could be tightening their belts further as the total cost of preparation falls between 50 and 100 Euros or Pound Sterling, with 28% of Brits, 33% of French and nearly 27% of Germans choosing this price bracket.
The Brits however lead the way in the fashion stakes as the survey reveals that they are the most style conscious on holiday with nearly 79% purchasing new clothes for their holiday. The British are closely followed by the Italians with 65% buying new accessories. Beloved toiletries are also high up on the British packing list with 76% preferring to buy all toiletries in the UK before going on holiday.
Jean-Pierre Nadir, founding president, Easyvoyage, said: “Holidaying is all about packing up your troubles and escaping. Whether the items we consider essential are amusing or comforting, if we all pack right, we can also travel right.”
For further information on Easyvoyage, visit easyvoyage.co.uk.
