Sun, sea and spending
Each year, the Post Office Travel Money Holiday Spending Report shares the latest research into consumers’ holiday spending and behaviour.
In 2023, our partners Yonder asked over 2,000 UK adults if they planned to take an overseas holiday this year. The response was resounding: more Britons than ever are choosing to take trips abroad despite the pressures of living costs and price increases.
The latest report also reveals how Britons will fund their holidays abroad and how overspending is a growing holiday habit even when a budget is set. We’ve shared the key findings here. And, to get deeper into the details, you can download the report in full.
Key findings include:
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The number of Britons taking a holiday abroad has increased year-on-year. 57% say they'll take an overseas trip this year despite cost of living pressures
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Holidaymakers have concerns about holiday finances. Worries about the cost of accommodation (84%) and flights or ferries (82%) slightly outweigh fears about the UK cost of living (78%)
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More than 27% of families will dip into their savings to afford a holiday abroad, and 16% will delay spending on a car or home improvements to help fund their trip
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Almost two-in-five Britons expect to increase their holiday spending budget and overspending levels by families have risen by 53% since 2019
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Two-thirds of holidaymakers (rising to 71% of families) said they'd been 'ripped off' by unexpected charges – including on credit or debit card transactions and using ATMs. 20% of families were annoyed about being charged multiple times for ATM cash withdrawals
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All-inclusive trips will remain popular this year –but the amount holidaymakers spend on extras has risen by over 20% since last year
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The proportion of travellers paying extra for food and drinks in their all-inclusive resort has quadrupled in the past nine years
Who’s heading abroad this year – and what for?
Here, we’ve listed the proportion of adults and families who told us they’re planning overseas holidays in 2023, plus the types of breaks abroad they plan to take.
All respondents | Families | |
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Total planning an overseas holiday | 57% | 66% |
City break | 40% | 37% |
All-inclusive holiday | 36% | 38% |
European beach holiday | 33% | 36% |
Long-haul holiday outside Europe | 24% | 23% |
Self catering holiday | 23% | 24% |
Motoring holiday | 9% | 11% |
Weighted base: From 2,080 UK adults surveyed, 1,191 in total and 470 families are planning a holiday abroad this year