Britons no longer want to lounge round the pool on holiday

LONDON AND PALMA
BRITONS would rather spend less on everyday luxuries than deny themselves an annual holiday, despite the credit crunch, fear of negative housing equity and rising food and fuel costs, a survey shows and increasing number of Britons have grown tired of spending their holidays lying by a pool.

Only 2 percent of 1'000 people polled said they would consider canceling their holiday to help make ends meet.
Instead, more than a third would ditch dining out, the same proportion would give up shopping for clothes or household items, and 14 percent would cut down on smoking or give up drinking at the pub.

The survey, by online travel company Kayak.co.uk, also found that, for 95 percent of Britons, taking a holiday at least once a year is more important to their overall happiness than owning a home (73 percent), being in a relationship (63 percent), having a car (47 percent) or starting a family (42 percent). Annie Wilson, business development director of Kayak.co.uk, said: “As a nation, we've always been much more likely to explore the four corners of the earth than to buy the latest flat screen TV. “Budget-conscious travellers willing to be flexible and spend time researching dates and destinations can still find the perfect trip at the right price.”

A GOOD BOOK
Travelling further afield than Europe - to places that trade in the U.S. dollar - could help Britons make their pounds go further, the website added.
But, for those millions of Britons coming to the Balearics this summer, many will be looking to do something exciting instead of lying round the pool.
According to the results of survey carried out by tour operator Thomas Cook, pool and sporting holidays are not as popular as they used to be while more and more Britons want an active holiday while relaxing with a good book at the end of the day.

39 percent of British going abroad this summer want to enjoy a holiday full of activity while 25 percent will also be packing a good book to make the most of their down time at the end of the day.

Only 22 percent plan to spend their break lying round the pool while just five percent have planned a sporting holiday.
The Thomas Cook survey also concludes that Spain is the most popular destination, although 34 percent of Britons would love to spend their holiday on a paradise island. Would not we all?