Fewer Britons able to afford holidays this year, report reveals

The Abta's annual Holiday Habits Report showed 23% of consumers did not go on a holiday in the year to August 2015, up from 20% in 2014 and 10% in 2011.

The travel survey revealed 23% of consumers stayed in the UK for their breaks, while 13% took their trip abroad. Some 41% took holidays both in the UK and abroad.

The total number of Britons taking holidays either at home or abroad amounted to 77%, down from 80% the previous year and 90% in 2011.

Packaged holidays were the most popular option for overseas trips due to value for money, less hassle and convenience.

The top holidays taken in the past year included a city break at 54%, a beach holiday at 50% and an all-inclusive trip at 18%.

Affluent consumers took the most holidays per person for the year, the report showed.

Booking overseas holidays with an online travel agent grew this year, while bookings through high street travel agents held steady.

Mark Tanzer, chief executive of Abta, said the report revealed that the average number of holidays taken per person is increasing while there has been a continued slight decline in the total number of people taking a holiday.

“Summer 2015 was one of the most challenging periods in the history of the industry. While we are well versed in managing incidents and issues, the scale and nature of the appalling terrorist attack in Tunisia, along with the intense period of financial uncertainty surrounding Greece, at the peak of its tourist season, sent shockwaves through our industry,” he said.

“While the threat of terrorism in the UK and further afield remains, the incidents and uncertainties of the summer do not appear to have deterred Brits from taking holidays. We saw a strong late booking market and our research suggests a positive outlook for 2016, with more consumers saying that they will spend more than those looking to cut back.”