Over 3 million British tourists are led by their taste buds and would book a holiday purely based on the food available in the area. 72% Brits refuse to try the local cuisine when abroad on holiday.
72% of Britons would not try any different food to their usual cuisine whilst on holiday, new research has revealed. The research, conducted by villa holiday tour operator Villa Plus, surveyed 1,000 British tourists to find out about eating habits on holidays, and analysed how this differs between all-inclusive resorts, self-catering villas, and normal behaviour back home.
The data revealed that over 3 million British tourists are led by their taste buds and would book a holiday purely on the food available in the area. Based on this, Bristolians have been found as the “foodie tourists” of the UK, with the highest percentage of residents (17%) stating they have chosen a holiday destination purely centred on the cuisine of the area.
When it came to the quantity of food intake on holiday, the data suggested that nearly half of us (42%) eat more meals when abroad compared to when at home. 18-24-year olds are the most likely age group to pile on the pounds whilst on holiday, with 53% admitting they eat more whilst abroad.
The top 10 most gluttonous holiday makers from the UK are from:
1. Leeds – 57.1% eat more whilst on holiday
2. Cardiff – 55% eat more whilst on holiday
3. London – 46.5% eat more whilst on holiday
4. Nottingham – 46.2% eat more whilst on holiday
5. Southampton – 44% eat more whilst on holiday
6. Manchester – 43.6% eat more whilst on holiday
7. Norwich – 42.7% eat more whilst on holiday
8. Newcastle – 42.3% eat more whilst on holiday
9. Sheffield – 38.5% eat more whilst on holiday
9. Edinburgh – 38.5% eat more whilst on holiday
The survey also found that Britons are most likely to overindulge when on all-inclusive holidays, compared to self-catering accommodation. Level of choice and value for money seem to be the main drivers of this, with three quarters (75%) admitting to taking full advantage of the buffet on offer.
Men are more likely the gorge themselves at an all-inclusive resort, with 80% admitting to this (compared to 71% of women), and the 35-44-year olds age group are the most interested in getting their money’s worth whilst on an all-inclusive holiday. Also, Belfast tourists seem to know a good deal when they see it, with 91% admitting they would eat more at an all-inclusive resort because the food was already paid for.
However, a quarter of Britons prefer the level of control that self-catering offers instead. Women are more likely to opt for self-catering accommodation than men, and 25-34-year olds are the most likely age group to want more control over what they eat on holiday, with 31% stating they would eat more in a self-catering resort.
Simon Lifford, Head of Sales and Marketing from Villa Plus, commented on the findings: “It was interesting to see just how much holidaymakers like to indulge on our holidays, and to what extent we will change our behaviours from home when we’re away.
“On the whole, we found that most holidaymakers are managing to keep to their diets and are actually not consuming any more food on holiday compared to at home. However, our research found that people can easily get carried away with an ‘unlimited’ supply of food and are more likely to overindulge in an all-inclusive setting than any other.
“If you are watching your waistline, or just like to have a little more control over your meals, then a self-catering option may be more suited to your needs, and is something to consider for your next holiday abroad”.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
