6 million have booked a summer holiday says BA

BA

How many holidays are you taking this year? Well, according to the new BA holiday report, nearly six million people have already booked their summer holiday.

We are going on an average of four trips in 2016, but of course, depending on how much you earn.

Those with a salary of £15k will take an average of three breaks this year, while jetsetters who earn £55k will tot up more than double with seven trips!

It’s the 16-24 year olds who will go away the most times in a year, averaging five trips, compared to three for over 55s.

Perhaps surprisingly, a whopping 45 per cent of the total cost of a trip abroad will go on pre-holiday pampering, new clothes, extras at the airport and food and drink and items when away.

The average cost of a holiday for a family of four is £4,260, yet only just over half of that (£2,328) will go on flights and accommodation.

For single travellers the cost of extras soars, with 55 per cent of the total cost (£1,477 of £2,627) going on shopping, beauty treatments, eating out and excursions.

Don’t think it always costs more to go abroad either. Couples planning a ‘staycation’ in 2016 will end up spending the same as those heading off for a city break – £432 compared to £433.

Claire Bentley, MD of British Airways Holidays, said: “We were really surprised by just how much money goes on pre-holiday shopping, pampering and other extras compared to the cost of the holiday itself.

“The research shows that holidaymakers need only cut back on discretionary spend to be able to afford a dream trip away.

“Booking an all-inclusive package, with meals and drinks included, is a great way to keep track of spending or opting for a self-catering villa is another way in which families and larger groups can keep costs down.”

One in nine of us admit we don’t keep to a budget on holiday, with almost 20 per cent of under 35s admitting they have had to borrow money while abroad.

Essex residents are the least likely to give themselves a budget on holiday, with two in three saying that ‘they’ll just spend until the money runs out’, whereas only one in five Liverpudlians would do that.

Yorkshire men are the most likely to dig deep, spending £545 on a city break, a quarter more than the average (£433).

Holidaymakers in the South West are the best at sticking to their budget (nine in 10 say they don’t over spend when away), compared to those from Wales, with 16 per cent of them confessing they always go over budget when on holiday.

For British Airways deals, see their Holiday Finder