Press release -
Modern Holidaymakers who speak in tongues take bite out of unadventurous 80s image
- Study finds 21st century tourists are more adventurous, enlightened and spontaneous compared to their 1980s counterparts.
- When abroad, 66 per cent are now more courageous with local cuisines.
- 34 per cent of UK holidaymakers now attempt to learn the language before going away on holiday.
The stereotype of the loud, sun-burnt UK holidaymaker gagging for a fry-up and getting disgruntled at a waiter who doesn’t speak English has been consigned to the past – and has been replaced by the brave, bilingual explorer eager to sample local delicacies, a new Post Office study has found.
According to the latest research from Post Office’s Travel Essentials campaign, the archetypal UK holidaymaker has changed dramatically over the last 30 years. Modern day tourists are more adventurous (51 per cent), enlightened (32 per cent) and spontaneous (29 per cent) than those in 1983.
Tourists are happier to venture off the beaten track, with 56 per cent saying that they would explore locations off the popular tourist trails, compared to just 38 per cent in 1983. A further 34 per cent say they now attempt to learn the local language, before going away.
Unsurprisingly, solo travel has risen dramatically with 66 per cent now going it alone - more than double the number doing so in 1983. However, companionship is never far away as 61 per cent (compared to 47 per cent in 1983) admit they now go away looking for love.
Not only have our tastes in travel changed, the destinations for our adventures have been further flung in recent years, with the top five holiday destinations1 being:
1983 | 2011 |
Spain (2.6m) | Spain (10.016m) |
Republic of Ireland (1.61m) | France (7.791m) |
France (1.06m) | Republic of Ireland (3.195m) |
Italy (0.65m) | USA (2.280m) |
Germany (0.57m) | Italy (1.907m) |
It’s not only the migratory patterns of flocks of UK tourists that have changed. In some instances, tastes have also evolved. For example, it’s less about egg and chips, and more about local delicacies for modern tourists. In fact, 66 per cent of UK holidaymakers said they would now sample local delicacies rather than stick to familiar UK grub.
From gadgets to grub, other tastes have also changed over the last 30 years:
1983 | 2013 | |
Gadgets | Walkman | Kindle |
Toileteries | Sun Oil | Sun spray |
Food | Egg & Chips | Local street food |
Luggage | Messenger Bags | Trunki's |
Conversation | Return of the Jedi | Royal baby |
Preserving memories | Photo album | |
Activity | Lying on a sun lounger | Extreme sports |
Of those who can remember holidaying in the early 1980s, 54 per cent2 believe that one of the biggest advances in the last 30 years is the convenience of being able to book everything online.
A further 11 per cent say that they currently take advantage of booking their trips at the very last minute – just two weeks in advance. This is in stark contrast to the 61 per cent who remember booking a trip six months before departure in 1983.
With pinpointing a destination and tailoring a trip to our tastes becoming a more carefree process, it’s no surprise that almost half (45 per cent) of people crave a one-stop shop where they can get all their holiday essentials such as insurance, passport and travel money.
Paul Havenhand, Head of Travel at the Post Office, said: “UK holidaymakers’ habits and tastes have really evolved over the last 30 years, with even greater demand for convenience and speed when it comes to travel. With the advances in technology and transport, we think nothing of jumping on a plane within a few weeks of deciding where to go. This means that holidaymakers are now demanding an easier way to get everything they need, from money to insurance, in one place.
“The Post Office is the ideal one-stop shop for a simple and hassle-free way to get all the travel essentials in one place.”
Over 70 different currencies can be pre-ordered at over 11,500 Post Office branches or online for next day branch or home delivery – so getting away won’t be a problem.
Euro are available on demand in more than 10,000 Post Office branches, while the most popular other currencies are available on demand in 1,600 branches. Instant Travel Insurance is available online, by phone or in branch, and Post Office is the only official provider of Passport Check and Send services.
ENDS
The research was conducted by OnePoll on 31/07/13. 1000 people were questioned.
1. Office of National Statistics 2011 - Travel Trends
2. Respondents were over 46 years old.
Summary of Post Office travel services:
Travel Money
Post Office voted best Travel Money provider for six consecutive years. More than 70 currencies can be pre-ordered at 11,500 branches or online for next day branch or home delivery. Euros are available on demand in more than 10,000 Post Office branches while the most popular currencies are available on demand in 1,600 branches.
Travel Insurance
Multi award winning travel insurance. Voted best Travel Insurance provider seven years running. Instant cover available online, by phone or in branch.
Passport Check and Send
Passport Application right first time. Post Office is the only official provider of Passport Check and Send
Contact- Gabrielle O’Gara
Categories
About the Post Office
The Post Office (Post Office Limited) has an unrivalled national network of over 11,500 branches across the UK, more than all the high street banks combined, and sits at the heart of communities in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England. The Post Office has made a commitment to maintaining its network of branches at its current size and reach. It provides around 170 different products and services spanning financial services including savings, insurance, loans, mortgages and credit cards; Government services; telephony; foreign currency; travel insurance and mail services.
The Post Office serves over 17 million customers a week and a third of small businesses. Some 99.7% of the total population live within three miles of a post office and over 97% live with one mile of a post office. For many rural communities, the post office is the only retail outlet. Post Offices branches remain highly valued and trusted, and are the focal point of many communities. For more information, visit http://www.postoffice.co.uk/.
Please note the Press Office team can only deal with enquiries from the media. Unfortunately they do not have access to customer information so can not help with customer enquiries.
If you have an enquiry regarding any Post Office product or service please visit postoffice.co.uk or call 0845Local call rates apply. Call costs may vary depending on your service provider. Calls may be monitored or recorded for training and compliance purposes. 611 2970.
