Fantastic weather, delicious food and convenient travel times are the most common reasons for returning to a holiday hotspot – plus the anxiety of going somewhere new and potentially not enjoying it.
Despite the rise in exotic holidays and adventures in far-flung destinations, new research has revealed 91 per cent of Brits are creatures of comfort, preferring to revisit the same holiday destination year-on-year. One in five holidaymakers returns to the same place within 12 months.
The research conducted by over-50s insurance and travel specialist Staysure, revealed the most popular destinations for repeat breaks are close to home – with Cornwall, Paris, Majorca and Blackpool topping the list.
Fantastic weather, delicious food and convenient travel times are the most common reasons for returning to a holiday hotspot – plus the anxiety of going somewhere new and potentially not enjoying it.
Other key findings include:
- 41 per cent claim they would ‘never get bored’ of visiting the same holiday spot
- A third think that three visits to the same place is enough – then it’s time to move on
- Price and positive online reviews are the top reasons for choosing a holiday destination
Four in ten (40 per cent) have stayed at the same hotel and one in five in the same villa or apartment. Over half have returned to the same resort and 49 per cent have repeated a city break.
The top 10 most repeated holiday destinations
1. Cornwall, UK
2. Paris, France
3. Majorca, Spain
4. Blackpool, UK
5. Florida, USA
6. Costa del Sol, Spain
7. Isle of Wight, UK
8. Algarve, Portugal
9. Barcelona, Spain
10. New York, USA
Sally Clements, from High Wycombe, said: “I’ve been to Playa Blanca in Lanzarote 25 times in the past 18 years – my husband and I absolutely love it. We tend to stay in the same hotel and are even on first name terms with the waiters in our favourite restaurants. It feels like we’re going to a home from home, and we’ve made some brilliant friends as a result.”
Conversely, Janis Donnelly, 62, from Sevenoaks, said: “I try to avoid going back to the same destinations, as the way I see it, I’ve only got a limited number of holidays left in my lifetime – why waste a trip going somewhere I’ve already been?”
Ryan Howsam, Chairman of Staysure, said: “It’s clear that UK holidaymakers have a tendency to stick to what they know – if you’ve been before, nothing beats your own recommendation. We’re encouraging people to broaden their horizons and not to get stuck in a holiday rut.”
“A growing number of our customers are pushing themselves out of their comfort zone, from volunteering in Borneo, to seeing the sights in far-flung destinations such as Cuba and Singapore. The research shows how an average couple will spend £1,700 on a holiday before they even step on the plane – so make it count!”
The top 10 dream destinations as voted by Staysure customers
1. Seychelles
2. Maldives
3. USA
4. Mauritius
5. Bahamas
6. Barbados
7. Cuba
8. Singapore
9. Japan
10. China.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
