The research, from escorted tour operator Leger Holidays, revealed people most commonly exaggerate details of accommodation, travel or the amount of sunshine they’ve enjoyed. In order to make the weather look better than it was, one in eight people (12 per cent) even admit to using fake tan before they return home.
Even though they had the holiday they wanted, 25 per cent of people admit to embellishing or playing down elements of their trip in case it reflects badly on them, with one in two people (53 per cent) saying they believe a holiday choice reflects on how interesting, cultured or affluent people are. Interestingly, those who go on cruises are far more likely to lie about their break than other types of holidaymakers (61 per cent).
The research, from escorted tour operator Leger Holidays, revealed people most commonly exaggerate details of accommodation, travel or the amount of sunshine they’ve enjoyed. In order to make the weather look better than it was, one in eight people (12 per cent) even admit to using fake tan before they return home.
And although it’s mainly family and friends we think will judge us (27 per cent and 26 per cent respectively), just less than one in 10 of us (8 per cent) is worried that those we connect with on social media will also form an opinion based on a holiday choice.
One in eight of us (12 per cent) has gone so far as to turn down a holiday in fear of what others might think, and 47 per cent automatically discount a certain type of holiday because of the stigma attached. Those holidays most likely to be dismissed without due consideration are:
1. 18-30s holidays (22%)
2. Coach holidays (13%)
3. Cruises (12%)
4. Holiday parks (11%)
5. Single traveller holidays (9%)
Huw Williams, Marketing Director at leading European escorted tour operator Leger Holidays, said: “It’s a shame that people are worrying so much about what other people might think they’re actually turning down the opportunities to try new travel experiences. It seems to be a combination of fear of what others might say and fear about whether they’ll like a different kind of holiday, with a third of people admitting they’re scared to try something new in case they don’t like it. You’ll never know unless you try, and often the misconceptions are totally out of line with the reality. We know from experience that people can sometimes have very preconceived ideas about escorted coach tours, but actually when they come and try it for themselves, they’re amazed at the places they see, the experiences they have and the comfort and ease of it all.”
Over two thirds of people describe themselves as liking to stick within their comfort zone when organising a holiday. When asked about the kind of holidaymaker they thought they were, people categorised themselves as:
1. Contented Comfort Zoner (46%) – knows what they like and doesn’t like to stray too far from it
2. Habitual Holiday Maker (23%) – has very specific habits and holiday hotspots they always stick to
3. Exotic Explorer (22%) – never goes to same place twice
4. Travel Trend-spotter (8%) – chooses holidays based on the ‘in’ place to go or experience to have.
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.
