A smaller proportion of Brits travelled on holiday this summer during Covid-19 than Europeans, according to a survey by travel deals website HolidayPirates.
The website polled 11,936 users across its portals in the UK and Europe in August. It included more than 2,000 Brits, mostly aged between 25 and 44.
According to the survey, 63% of Brits took a summer holiday during Covid-19.
While this showed the majority of Brits found a way to travel despite the pandemic, the numbers were considerably lower than their European counterparts, with 86% of French, 81% of Spanish, 75% of Germans, and 82% of Italians going away this summer.
Similarly, fewer Brits took a staycation in comparison with their European neighbours. In total, 55% of Brits had a break in the UK this summer, while 74% of French respondents went away in France, 80% of Spanish took a holiday in Spain, and 80% of Italians holidayed in Italy. Only Germany had fewer respondents go on a staycation, at 45%.
The survey, which took place prior to recent UK local lockdown restrictions, gave optimism for future travel this year, suggesting there was pent-up demand for holidays.
Even though 45% of British respondents had their original holiday plans cancelled, 50% said planned to travel again this year, with 66% of Brits wanting to travel this autumn. Around a third (33%) of those who wanted to go away this year said they were still not sure when they would go.
Phil Salcedo, vice president, global content, HolidayPirates, said: “It just shows how much people value and need a holiday even in difficult times.”