Consumers loosening reins on holiday budgets​

New research for Which?’s Stop the Holiday Hassles campaign has revealed people are now less likely to cut back on their holiday budget compared to twelve months ago, as consumer confidence increases.

Last year more than half (53%) of consumers in the UK said they intended to cut back on holiday expenditure in the coming months, compared to four in 10 (38%) this year.

Households spend on average £1,750 a year on holiday, excluding flights yet only three in 10 people (30%) say they trust the airline and holiday operator industry. Which? believes people deserve to have an enjoyable, stress-free break which is why we launched our Stop the Holiday Hassles campaign.

We want holiday makers to share their travel nightmares so we can take action to expose the dodgy deals and shoddy service.  We’re also offering tips and advice from our consumer rights experts.

Which? executive director, Richard Lloyd, said:

“It is good news that consumer confidence appears to be on the increase but trust in the travel industry is still low.

“Consumers spend hundreds of pounds on their annual break and deserve a hassle-free summer getaway. We’re asking travellers to share their holiday gripes with us so we can expose the dodgy deals and shoddy service to stop the holiday hassles.”

We’ve previously revealed the top holiday gripes which include delays or cancellations with your flight (30%), long waits to reclaim baggage (25%), accommodation being different to what was described and unhelpful or rude staff (24%).

 

Notes to editors

1.    For the Which? Consumer Insight Tracker data on consumer confidence research: Populus, on behalf of Which?, interviewed 2,086 UK adults between 18th and 20th July 2014. The data was weighted to be demographically representative of all UK adults. Populus is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

2.    The Office for National Statistics (ONS), Family Spending Report 2013 edition found households spend an average of £1,750 a year on holiday. It includes spending on holiday accommodation, package holidays, and holiday spending but excludes flights. The ONS’ Family Spending Report 2012 shows families spent an average of £1,710 a year on holiday.

3. Top five problems experienced with a holiday in the UK or abroad in the last two years:

1.  Delays or cancellations with your flight (30%)

2.  Long waits to reclaim baggage (25%)

3.  Accommodation being different to what was described (24%)

= Unhelpful or rude staff (24%)

4.  Delays or cancellations with other forms of transport e.g. train, ship or taxi (20%)

= Accommodation being unclean (20%)

5.  Lack of information regarding delays, cancellations or other problems by staff (17%)

Populus, on behalf of Which?, interviewed a representative sample of 2,079 UK adults online between 2 and 3 July 2014. Of these 1,408 people have taken a holiday in the UK in the last 2 years and 1,165 people have taken a holiday abroad in the last 2 years. Data were weighted to be demographically representative of all UK adults. Populus is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.​

4.    More than 9,000 people have signed up to the Stop the Holiday Hassles campaign.

Which? doesn’t think it’s fair that well-deserved holidays are spoilt by poor service so we want:

  • to help consumers get things put right quickly when they go wrong;
  • travellers to help us uncover and tackle shoddy holiday practices;
  • people to sign up to back our campaign and receive tips on making your holiday hassle-free.
5.    The Which? Consumer Rights website has free advice and information on a range of holiday hassles including what you’re entitled to if you experience a delay or cancellation or how to make a claim if your accommodation wasn’t as described.​

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