The average British family is prepared to spend 13% or £536 more on their overseas holiday in 2017 than last year, according to research.
A study into holiday spending habits by the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s Atol consumer financial-protection scheme suggested a family of four will spend an average £3,133 on their main break abroad this year.
However, it also revealed that unexpected holiday costs leave many travellers in debt on their return.
The study, based on a poll of 2,000 adults, suggests a family of four holidaying abroad should set aside an average of £536.80 to cover unexpected costs, the equivalent of two return flights to the Canary Islands or a four-day pass to Disneyland Paris.
It found two-thirds of UK travellers (61%) struggle with budgeting on holiday.
More than one in ten (12%) admitted to not keeping track of their spending and getting a shock when they came to pay at the end of a trip.
UK holidaymakers appear most likely to be caught out by having to pay for additional food and drink, and by charges when withdrawing money abroad.
Almost one fifth (18%) have had to pay for replacement accommodation at some point, and a sixth (16%) have had to pay for new flights.
Andy Cohen, the CAA’s head of Atol, said: “Holiday costs can mount up quickly, making it very easy to overspend.
“Our research also showed the unexpected can happen. Over their lifetimes nearly a fifth of consumers have had to pay for replacement accommodation and a sixth have had to pay for new flights.
“This is a timely reminder that it’s essential consumers look past the price of their trip when booking and check for Atol [consumer] protection.
“This will protect the money they have spent on flights and hotels should their travel company collapse.”
The study found the top-10 unexpected holiday costs were:
- Food and drink
- Charges to withdraw money
- Parking
- Additional car-hire costs
- Airport transfers and shuttles
- Excess baggage
- Airline food and drink
- Phone roaming charges
- Internet charges
- Sports equipment hire