Halifax Travel Insurance reports that more than 3.7m Britons flew over 5.5 billion air miles for long haul mini breaks in the last twelve months.
Despite calls for Britons to limit their air miles, more than 3.7 million holidaymakers flew over 5.5 billion miles to take a long haul mini-break last year. During 2007 these 3.7 million tourists endured a flight of at least 7 hours for a holiday lasting less than one week
This trend for long-haul mini-breaks, dubbed breakneck breaks, is set to continue, with over one in ten Britons planning one this year - an increase of 35% on 2007. Britons looking to ease their carbon conscience when embarking on long haul flights can look to make a payment towards carbon offsetting schemes.
The United States was the most popular long haul mini break destination for Britons. Encouraged by the strength of the pound against the dollar over 1.9 million Brits splashed the cash in New York’s restaurants and LA’s boutiques. The cultural and spiritual charms of the Far East was the second most popular destination attracting over half a million long haul mini breaks last year, followed by the Indian subcontinent with 226,000 mini trips.
But what’s fuelling the breakneck break phenomena? Rising levels of comfort and entertainment available on aeroplanes was cited as the biggest driver as 33% pointed to a growing tolerance of long flight times. This was followed by growing numbers of people travelling to exotic stag, hen and wedding locations. Employers preventing staff from ‘carrying over’ their annual holiday forced 10% to take a shorter break than they would have desired. Finally the British weather spurred 9% to travel further afield to get a short dose of the sun’s rays.
It is not just young time-poor executives trying to fit in an exotic holiday into their busy work schedules. Over half a million over 65s will take a long haul mini break in 2008. However it does seem that men are more predisposed to the concept with almost one million more men than women happy to put up with jet lag for a break lasting under a week.
Most popular destinations for long haul mini breaks
|
Region
|
Number of long
haul mini breaks
in last 12 months
|
|
North America
|
1,970,000
|
|
Far East
|
540,000
|
|
Indian Subcontinent
|
226,000
|
|
Australasia
|
218,000
|
|
Caribbean
|
188,000
|
|
Africa
|
153,000
|
|
Middle East
|
133,000
|
|
South America
|
91,000
|
Paul Birkhead of Halifax Travel Insurance, says: “Better airline quality, the lure of winter sun, favourable exchange rates and cheaper long haul flights has created a boom in demand for long haul mini breaks, with millions of us enduring long flights for a weekend break on the other side of the globe. Holidaymakers should not risk travelling without adequate insurance just because they are taking a short break. Things can go wrong whether you are taking a break for two days or two weeks. Travel insurance will cover you for the unexpected, making it vital that everyone has it. Lost baggage, delayed flights or illness can prove expensive, especially if you are thousands of miles away from home.”
Travel insurance: News update: April 2008
