Holidaymakers tighten belts for summer

Stressed out Brits may be as keen as ever to take a summer holiday, but according to new research by Tesco Travel Money cost-cutting is now a top priority.

A study by the financial firm has revealed that while more than half of us are heading overseas in 2009, at least one in three will be spending less than last year.

Almost every expense is being targeted by recession-conscious travellers, with 54 per cent cutting back on food and drink, and 43 per cent reining in duty free spending.

Savings on cheap flights and hotel bookings are also being spied by the nation's thrifty jetsetters – 76 per cent of whom say they are drawing up a budget.

Among those sensible enough to plan ahead, a conscientious 16 per cent say they will not allow themselves to spend a penny more than intended.

But many others appear to calling on much more drastic measures.

One in three will avoid expensive restaurants by booking a self-catering break, and almost as many – 30 per cent – are ditching hotels altogether for a camping or caravanning holiday.

Ryanair is among the travel firms that have recorded a surge in what it dubs 'recession chic' holidays, with bookings at its affiliate camping website surging by 60 per cent.

Overall, analysts say the trend towards belt-tightening underscores the resilience of the British public, even in the midst of a severe economic downturn.

What's more, it highlights how for many of us a trip abroad is not seen as a luxury, but rather as a necessity for maintaining a healthy work-leisure balance.

Commenting on the latest study, a spokesperson for Tesco Travel Money said: "It's great to see that holidaymakers are pulling out the stops to get value for money and making sacrifices to ensure they get their two weeks in the sun."

The findings also support recent research by Holiday Rentals, which concluded that two third of Brits are doing everything possible to cut the cost of their vacation.

With that survey revealing that British families are spending an average of £300 less on their summer breaks than last year, Holiday Rentals Managing Director Courtney Wylie commented: "The credit crunch is really taking its toll on Brits.

"However, rather than missing out on the family holiday altogether, our research proves that people are simply cutting back on some of the costs so they are still able to go away."

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