2007
(23/05/2007) Can't travel, won't travel: One-in-ten British adults has never been abroad on holiday
One-in-ten1 (2.9 million) British adults aged 16-64 has never been abroad on holiday, new research from AXA Insurance reveals. A further 2.3 million Britons have only been on holiday abroad once in their lifetime. The average British adult aged 16-64 has vacationed in seven different countries overseas.
AXA Insurance has identified a new class of ‘Super Traveller," Britons aged 16-64 that have vacationed in more than twenty countries abroad. In total, there are 1.4 million "Super Travellers" in Briton. The research also identified a class of "Mega Traveller," made up of almost 300,000 Britons that have holidayed in over fifty countries around the world. Insurance policies that cover multiple trips abroad each year can help these travellers reduce their risk and ensure they are adequately protected should a problem occur.
Three quarters of Britons interviewed claim to immerse themselves in the local culture when they go on holiday, visiting the local sights and sampling the local cuisine. However, it is too early to consign to history images of Brits abroad in football shirts, eating fried breakfasts in English theme pubs. Over two million British adults aged 16-64 prefer to find British food when they go abroad and if possible mix with fellow Britons rather than enjoying the local culture.
Nick Kidd, head of lifestyle protection and household claims, at AXA Insurance, commented: "Despite the rise of budget air travel a significant number of Britons have not travelled overseas on holiday. However, we are also witnessing the rise of a new breed of traveller, one that prefers to track down new destinations than return to old haunts. Without insurance, holidaymakers travelling overseas run the risk of jeopardising their health and that of their bank balance during their trip."
Regional findings
People aged 16-64 living in the Midlands are the most likely (11%) to have never travelled abroad on holiday. However, just 2% of those surveyed who live in Greater London have never been abroad on vacation. The average Londoner aged 16-64 has holidayed in nine different countries overseas, compared to just six countries for those living in Scotland and the Midlands.
Table 1: Regional breakdown on Britons that have never travelled abroad
| Region | Percentage of inhabitants aged 16-64 that have never travelled abroad on holiday |
|---|---|
| Midlands | 11% (624,000 people) |
| North West | 9% (373,000 people) |
| Scotland | 9% (366,000 people) |
| South East / East Anglia | 8% (689,000 people) |
| Wales & West | 7% (382,000 people) |
| North East / Yorks / Humber | 7% (370,000 people) |
| Greater London | 2% (78,000 people) |
Source: AXA Insurance
AXA Insurance provides comprehensive cover for holidaymakers taking their first trip abroad or taking multiple trips worldwide each year. For more information visit www.axa.co.uk/travel
- Ends -
Notes to editors
- 1013 British adults aged 16-64 were interviewed by TNS Onlinebus from 3rd - 8th May 2007.
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