Survey by CoPilot (via YouGov) revealed that over three-fifths (62%) of holiday drivers are choosing to drive to their holiday within the UK. Cornwall is a popular UK holiday hotspot with over a tenth (11%) of British holiday drivers choosing the picturesque beach resort.
LONDON – Summer holidays are fast approaching for the British population during the busiest and most popular holiday period. According to online research conducted by CoPilot (via YouGov), the leading, offline Sat Nav app, over a quarter (28%) of Britons will be driving to their holiday destinations by car this summer. And it is the older generations who are driving this trend, with over a third (36%) of those aged 55 and over driving to their holiday destination.
Home is where the holiday heart is – UK is the top holiday destination for staycations
The survey revealed that over three-fifths (62%) of holiday drivers are choosing to drive to their holiday within the UK. Cornwall is a popular UK holiday hotspot with over a tenth (11%) of British holiday drivers choosing the picturesque beach resort. For those in the North, the Lake District is another popular holiday destination this summer, with around one in six (16%) choosing to drive to or in the infamous lakes region.
When Britons are taking to the roads abroad, France is a popular country to holiday in with one in ten of British holiday drivers choosing to holiday there; the next most popular destination is Spain (8%), followed by Italy (3%).
What is driving holidaymakers to get behind the wheel?
Over a fifth of those surveyed cited that driving to their holiday is cheaper (21%). Over One in ten take to the roads because they feel that it’s easier for travelling with children and also because they have too much luggage (13%), and seem to want to pack everything but the kitchen sink. Pets also play a key role in choosing to holiday by car, with around a tenth of all holiday makers (8%) wanting their dog to come along and enjoy the break too. This was most common for those in the 45 – 55+ age range, and those from the North, Midlands and Wales.
Fear of data roaming drives Britons to switch off apps
Around one in five Britons would consider using sat navs apps abroad. But despite EU legislation on reduced mobile data roaming charges now in force, nearly half (44%) have concerns about incurring data roaming charges while traveling abroad. Nearly a third (29%) worry about battery drain and the potential loss of signal (28%) whilst on foreign roads. A fifth (21%) prefers to use traditional physical maps, this, perhaps unsurprisingly, rises to a third (33%) in the 55+ age category.
“This research shows that for many Brits taking to the open road and driving to their summer break is now the travel option of choice, due to ease, cost and the simple fact that it’s more enjoyable. The passport crisis and air traffic control strikes this year are also likely a contributory factor in Britons choosing to take to the roads and holiday at home. For those heading abroad data roaming charges are still of a great concern, despite the fact that charges are lowering this year – it seems that still more needs to be done to make people feel in control and keep costs down,” said David Quin, VP Consumer Business at ALK Technologies. “CoPilot sat nav apps operate offline, allowing holiday makers to avoid racking up unnecessary charges using too much data, whether at home or abroad. Offline apps forgo the need for unnecessary, cumbersome and in, many cases outdated maps, to give you your location, directions, local points of interest and many other invaluable features, all at the touch or swipe of a button in your pocket.”
The CoPilot range of sat nav and trip planning apps for iPhone, iPad and Android and Windows phone 8 are designed to operate offline, with maps stored on-board to provide directions and in-car guidance when used abroad and conserving mobile data at home.
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
