HOLIDAYMAKERS STILL GOING ABROAD BUT HABITS CHANGE
SeaFrance research shows over 80% of people are still planning to holiday abroad in 2009, but they will take more last minute breaks and stay with friends and family
Over 80% of UK residents are still planning to holiday abroad in 2009, with only 12% planning to stay in the UK and 16% likely to take three breaks or more, according to survey figures released by SeaFrance Dover-Calais Ferries today.
Last month, the ferry operator questioned a sample of past passengers about their travel plans this year and found that credit crunch worries were having little effect on their intention to holiday, with 33% still planning to take at least two breaks and 16% taking three. Only 5% of those surveyed were anticipating not being able to travel at all this year and just 4% were avoiding the eurozone due to the fallen exchange rate. 12% of people were planning a stay in the UK, but the overwhelming majority were travelling to short haul destinations abroad with over 50% planning on going to Northern Europe.
However, despite not preventing people from holidaying, the recession has affected the way they travel, with family and friends a popular option. Almost 30% of those who have already booked a holiday are intending to stay with friends and family abroad, whilst 23% of those not yet booked are planning to do the same; this is compared to 3 years ago when 12% said they would stay with family and friends, rather than renting a property or staying in a hotel.
Robin Wilkins, Managing Director of SeaFrance UK, commented: “Although these figures may come as a surprise to some, Northern Europe is still unquestionably a popular destination for holidaymakers. It has something to offer everyone, and is particularly appealing in these difficult financial times as the opportunities for low budget holidays are strong.”
Wilkins continued: “With any duration crossings for a car carrying five people starting from just under £6 per person each way, ferry travel with SeaFrance is one of the cheapest possible ways to reach the Continent but, contrary to popular belief, it is not the case that travellers will get the best deals by booking late. As cheaper fares sell out, ferry prices increase in a similar way to the low fares airline pricing structure, meaning the later holidaymakers leave their booking, the more likely they are to pay a higher fare. The message is, book now to get the best fares.”
SeaFrance operates up to 15 daily return car ferry crossings on the Dover-Calais route. Online spring fares for a car and up to five passengers start from just £29 each way and from £29 return for a day trip.
For more details or to book call 0871 22 22 500 or visit seafrance.com.
Current exchange rates indicate fuel prices inFrance are:
Unleaded £1.06/litre (€1.140)
Diesel £0.91/ litre (€0,9270)
£1.00=€1.O3 (30 March 09)
2-3 June 2012 part of the town centre (Boulevard Heurteloup, place de la Gare et jardin de la Préfecture) are dedicated to local wines – opportunities to taste and learn all about the Loire Valley wine appellations with over 100 winemakers attending from 70 different appellations and showing their produce. On the Saturday evening there is music!
The village of Espelette (64 Pyrenees-Atlantiques, Aquitaine) in the Basque country of Southwest France devotes a weekend to celebrate the chilli pepper – Fete du Piment on 
The Peppers of Espelette are recognised with Appellation Controllee status. Needing a lot of sun and heat to ripen, the peppers are traditionally woven into garlands and hund from the roofs of houses throughout the town to dry. So, the town is decorated with garlands of bright red peppers, and there are stands offering a whole range of gastronomic delights based on the fiery pepper – plus music, feasting etc – all with a Basque accent.!
