As the Brexit chaos continues, the majority of Brits say they have no intention of letting it change their holiday plans. And eight out of 10 would happily go away on March 29 next year, the date the UK is scheduled to leave the EU.
An On the Beach survey revealed that 86% of people plan to take a similar number of holidays abroad in 2019 as they did this year – or even more.
Almost a third said they plan on taking more foreign holidays, compared to 27% who say they will be booking more breaks in the UK.
Millennials are most likely to enjoy more foreign holidays next year, with over half of 16-24-year olds saying they will increase the number of breaks they take outside the UK. Just one in 10 Brits from the same age group plan on taking fewer holidays in 2019.
The survey also revealed that almost nine out of 10 will still book a European beach holiday next year, despite the recent announcement that there will be a fee of €7 for Britons travelling to the EU, post Brexit. More than one in 10 said they would be looking at holidays further afield, outside Europe, as a result of Brexit.
More than eight in 10 said they would happily holiday abroad on Brexit day, though uncertainties around Brexit mean that 17% will avoid being abroad on holiday on or around this day.
The survey also asked holidaymakers if they plan on splashing more money on their holidays next year compared to this, and found over a quarter will increase their holiday spend in 2019, while 40% will budget the same as this year. Just 12% said that if they had to make cutbacks, they would be willing to forego trips, but a holiday would be the last thing most people would want to give up.
They would rather give up eating out or having nights on the town, going to the cinema or theatre – even getting a new car or doing home improvements.
With Christmas just a few days away, the survey revealed the only thing more important to Brits than their holidays, is gifts for friends and family, with only 11% saying they would happily save money on these items.
On the Beach boss Alan Harding said: “Our survey suggests that Brits largely do not expect Brexit to change their holiday plans with the majority planning to take the same or more number of holidays abroad next year as they did in 2018.”
