Instagram influences holiday choices of more than 10.6 Million Brits
According to a new study, upwards of 10.6 million Brits are said to be shunning more traditional guidebooks and holiday brochures and turning instead to social media for inspiration and making bookings regarding their travel plans.
The research, conducted by villa holiday tour operator Villa Plus, surveyed 1,000 British tourists to determine what factors influence their getaways, and which services they turn to when it’s time to book.
Results showed that despite more than a third of Brits admit to being influenced by friends and family when it comes to the holiday-making process, social media platforms such as Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook, now play a key role in both the way in which Brits browse for holiday inspiration and the method we turn to for making that all-important booking too.
Coming a long way since it’s humble beginnings, platforms such as Instagram are now much more than a way of showcasing your holiday snaps. In fact, advancements in the software mean users can are now no longer restricted to simply browsing their grid for inspiration but can now also buy or book life’s luxuries such as holidays too – and many of the products needed to take away with you as well.
The data mirrored said advancements and the clear generational shift in terms of both travel priorities and the way in which social media is utilised.
For more than a fifth of 25-34 year olds (22.2%), ensuring your vacation destination is “Instagram-worthy” was a main priority, whilst in contrast, more than a quarter of 55-64 year olds prefer to prioritise the experience itself, admitting they would actively attempt to relive their previous holidays time and again.
For some, price is much more appealing than and the perfect Instagram snap. Men were found to be the more frugal of the sexes, as nearly four times more men than women were likely to choose a location based on whether they could source a cheap deal.
The research also revealed which cities are most influenced by the Instagrammability of their vacation spot:
Newcastle claimed the crown, as upwards of 52,000 Geordies believed that an Insta-worthy location was paramount when deciding where to book their holiday.
Despite a fifth of those hailing from Manchester also admitting to being heavily influenced by social media when making choices in relation to location, just 2% stated that they had used the platforms to make a booking.
Similarly, when it came to the booking stage, over a fifth (21%) of 65+ year olds reveal they still prefer more traditional methods, opting to complete these transactions over the phone.
That said, more than 10% of Belfast residents, however, claim to have done so directly through social media.
Insta-worthy dream holiday without having to pack your bags!
Holidays are one of the best ways to tick off those outstanding items on your bucket list. The holiday provides us with the opportunity to do those ‘once in a lifetime’ things that we dream about in our day-to-day, a chance to live those exhilarating experiences and collect those unforgettable memories.
But what if you didn’t have to wait for a big, expensive holiday to a far-flung destination to do all the things on your list? What if you could do those same incredible activities in the UK or Ireland?
Stena Line asked the UK public what they would most want to do on their dream holiday. Here are the top 5:
Surfing
Safari experience
Thermal springs
Whale watching
Skiing
So, how can you have an Insta-worthy dream holiday without having to pack your bags and fly around the world?
1. Surfing
Surfing has (excuse the pun) really made a
splash with holidaymakers over the last decade or so. It’s grown from an
ancient practice in Polynesia to a rebellious sub-culture in California and now
it can be found all over the world.
Surfing is a perfect holiday activity because
it combines a little bit of learning — perfect to keep the brain stimulated
when it might otherwise switch off — with a fun physical challenge and plenty
of time in the sun.
The dream: Hawaii, USA
Though Californian surf culture made the
practice famous in contemporary society, the best surfing can still be found
where it all started. Hawaii is known for its profound surf culture and
world-class waves. Its white beaches and sub-tropical climate make it a surfer’s
dream.
Getting there, however, is not a laid-back
experience. From the UK, it takes at least 17 hours to get to Hawaii, not
including transfer time, which can quickly stack up to nearly an entire day of
flying. And the flights, as you might expect, aren’t cheap. We found that
return flights were £1,244 per person.
Once you’ve landed, you could technically surf
for free (no one owns the ocean, after all), but it’s unlikely that you’ll haul
a surfboard halfway around the world with you.
Instead, you’ll probably want to hire your
gear when you’re there. If you go for, let’s say, five days (you’ve gone all
that way, after all!), you can hire a beginner board for a week for $80
(£61.35). Five nights in a good mid-range hotel in Honolulu will set you back £890.
Oh, and don’t forget: Hawaii is part of the
USA, which means you’ll need to purchase a $14 (£10.55) ESTA to get through
customs.
Altogether,
that clocks in at £2,205.90.
Close to home: Llangennith, Wales
Over the last decade or so, there’s been a marked
rise in the number of people going ‘cold water’ surfing in North America and
Europe.
One of the best places for that? Wales —
specifically, Llangennith, a long beach where surfers can get stuck in to the
Gower, a reef renowned for its waves. The Gower has been called the heartland
of Welsh surfing, offering waves for surfers of all abilities, whether you’re
after those mellow troughs or those gnarly thirty-footers.
Some of the best surfers in the UK refine
their craft in the waves off the shores of Llangennith, so it’s definitely one
for your bucket list.
Unlike Hawaii, you won’t need to worry about
getting flights to Llangennith if you’re in the UK. Surf gear is a little more
expensive than Hawaii — about £80 to buy a beginner board and wetsuit — but you
won’t need to pay for a visa or an ESTA to get there.
Because it’s only a short journey, you could
probably visit Llangennith for a couple of days before heading back, but for
the sake of being fair, let’s say that you’re staying for five days.
Accommodation in Llangennith is around £85 per room for a mid-range hotel so
your hotel costs for the week would come in at about £425.
The sum
total takes you to just £505.00.
Saving:
£1,700.90 (77%)
2. Safari experience
Getting out onto the plains of Africa is the
dream of many a wildlife enthusiast, which is why a safari is at the top of
many people’s bucket lists. They’re often the only opportunity that people have
to see some of the world’s most incredible animals out in the wild, up close,
from gigantic elephants and hippos to lion prides and ferocious crocodiles.
The dream: Maasai Mara, Kenya
No continent does a safari quite like Africa —
its stretching plains and varied wildlife makes it a haven for animal-lovers.
One of the best-known safaris in Africa is the Maasai Mara National Reserve in
Kenya. Maasai Mara shares a common border with the Serengeti and is famous for
its plentiful populations of lions, leopards, cheetahs, zebras and wildebeest.
The problem is that going on a safari in
Maasai Mara is an all-in experience; planning a day trip out onto the plains
isn’t easy to do. The shortest safari package we could find was a 3-day outing
that started at $746 (£564.20) per person. Assuming you would stay an absolute
minimum of 2 nights, that puts accommodation at £500 per room if you want to
stay near Maasai Mara. Cheaper rooms are available in Narok, the nearest town,
but it’s a three-hour drive away.
Getting to Kenya in the first place is fairly
pricey. Return tickets are about £378 per person, but you’ll also need to
factor in getting a visa for entry for $51 (£38.72) and the shots you’ll need
for typhoid and yellow fever (£141.95). That
puts the entire trip at £1,622.87 per person, excluding food and airport
transfers.
Close to home: Birmingham, England
You’d be mistaken in believing that you have
to leave the UK and Ireland to enjoy an engrossing safari experience. The West
Midland Safari Park — located just half an hour or so outside of Birmingham —
offers one of Europe’s best wildlife experiences. Lions? Check. Zebras? Check.
Elephants and rhinos and cheetahs and pretty much everything else you’d spot on
the Serengeti plains? All check. And you can see them all in one day!
Admission, as you might expect, is much
cheaper than booking an African experience. Day passes start from £24 per
person, though you can book a VIP package if you want something more immersive.
Accommodation in Birmingham is agreeable, too, with mid-range hotels starting
at about £43 per room. And since it’s in
the UK, you won’t need to pay anything for flights, visas or vaccines, which
puts the total at just £67.
Saving: £1,555.87 (96%)
3. Thermal springs
Everyone loves a good spa day, but there’s
something magical about the restorative powers of the earth itself. Though
thermal spas have been around for millennia (they were a particularly big hit
with the Romans), they’ve recently had a rapid increase in popularity. Genuine
thermal spas are a rarity, which is why they’re sought after by holidaymakers
who are looking for unique experiences.
The dream: Blue Lagoon, Iceland
The tourism statistics for Iceland’s Blue Lagoon
have benefitted massively from the Instagram generation. It’s one of the most
beautiful places in the world, sporting an azure blue volcanic lake that
contrasts sharply with the stark igneous landscape that surrounds it. For that
reason, it’s become a top destination for modern travellers to go to.
It isn’t cheap, though. Iceland is notoriously
pricey — in fact, it’s cited by many as the most expensive tourist destination in the world,
due to high import costs and taxation on food and alcohol. The Blue Lagoon is
ISK 6,990 (£44.60) for just one hour in the pool, and that’s if you book in
advance. If you want to stay over, the on-site hotel is your only real option,
as the spa is in the middle of nowhere. A stay at the Silica Hotel starts at
ISK 70,400 (£448.83) per night. Add the
flights on top of that — £173 return from the UK — and your total comes to
£666.43.
Close to home: Bath, England
Bath is, in the minds of many, the original
thermal spa town. It’s even named
after the Roman baths. That’s because of the plentiful geothermal springs
underground that allowed Roman settlers to create hot bathhouses, some of which
still stand today.
You can actually enjoy a dip in a genuine
geothermal spa when you visit Bath by going to the Thermae Spa. Admission to
the New Royal Bath is £36 on weekdays, for which you’ll get a two-hour spa
session and access to the open-air rooftop pool and the Minerva Bath, the
largest of the thermal baths. Accommodation
in Bath is about £67 per night, and without flights to worry about, your total
comes to just £103.
Saving:
£563.43 (85%)
4. Whale watching
Whales are incredible creatures. With the
largest of them measuring almost 30 metres long, it’s understanding that the
vast majority of them don’t fit in an aquarium or sea life centre. You have to
go out into the wild to see them for real — and spotting them is one of the top
things that we want to do on holiday.
The dream: Húsavík, Iceland
One of the best spots to see whales in the
world is off the northeast coast of Iceland. The coastal town of Húsavík has
become a hotspot for budding whale-spotters, and as such, there are several
companies that run world-class whale-watching tours out of Skjálfandi Bay on
traditional oak boats.
As mentioned earlier, though, Iceland is
expensive. The three hours you spend on the water will cost you 10,500 ISK
(£66.52) per person, and a night spent in Húsavík will cost you around £100 per
room — and that’s at the low end of the spectrum. Return flights to Akureyri —
the nearest airport to Húsavík — are about £396 from the UK.
That means that even without food costs and
airport transfers — which can be two or three times what you may spend in the
UK — you’ll be spending £565.52 to do a
day of whale watching in Iceland.
Close to home: Cork, Ireland
Did you know that the Irish government
declared the coastal waters of Ireland a whale and dolphin sanctuary during the
early 1990s? Ireland’s policies on the preservation of sea life have turned it
into one of Europe’s top spots for seeing Minke, Fin, Baleen and even Humpback
whales in their natural habitat.
You can go whale watching from West Cork for
just €50 (£42.67) per person for 4 hours out on the water. Accommodation in
Cork is around £87 per night for a mid-range hotel, and getting to Cork from
the UK is easy — you can hop aboard a ferry from just £41 per person for an
overnight stay, which gives you as much as 36 hours in Ireland.
Altogether,
you’ll be spending just £170.67.
Saving:
£415.85 (74%)
5. Skiing
Skiing has a sort of vintage charm about it —
maybe that’s because its popularity grew rapidly in the 50s and 60s when metal
skis made it easy, even fun, for amateurs to ski as well as pros. Since then,
it’s become a top holiday recreation, complete with cosy lodges and alpine
tipples.
The dream: Cervinia, Italy
What skiing hotspot can compete with the
world-famous Matterhorn? It’s instantly recognisable by its pyramid shape and
its looming presence in the Alps, crossing the borders of both Italy and
Switzerland. One of the best ski resorts at the base of the Matterhorn is
Cervinia, Italy, where you can take a lift up to some of the best parts of the
mountain and ski to your heart’s desire.
Flights to Cervinia are very reasonable from
the UK, with return flights coming in at only about £72 off-peak. A day-pass to
the Cervinia resort is €43 (£35.59), with ski hire coming it at £18.87 per day
if you book online. However, accommodation is pretty pricey, probably because
of how remote the hotels are. For two nights, you’ll be looking at about £426
per room.
For argument sake, let’s say you just want to
ski for one full day — that takes your
total to £552.46.
At home: Glenshee, Scotland
Bet you didn’t know there were ski resorts in
the UK! In fact, Glenshee Ski Resort in Scotland sees a great deal of snowfall
throughout the year, and with a few gentler slopes than Cervinia, it’s ideal
for beginners and intermediates.
Admission to the ski resort is a little
cheaper than Cervinia, with a 1-day lift pass coming in at £32 (although if you
just want to hit the beginner slopes, you can get to them for just £20 a day).
Ski hire is £23 a day for skis, boots and poles.
The biggest saving you’ll make is on
accommodation. You can stay at a mid-range hotel in Ballater — about half an
hour’s drive from Glenshee — for about £55 a night, so £110 if we’re going to
match the two nights you’d spend in Cervinia.
That
puts your total at just £165.
Saving:
£387.46 (70%)
The Dream: £5613.18
Home: £947.67
Saving: £4,665.51
83%
A dream holiday from home
If you have plenty of money — and time, too — you might be willing to travel the world to complete your holiday bucket list. For the rest of us, though, the good news is that all the activities we dream about for our perfect holiday are right on our doorstep here in the UK and Ireland.
Here’s to a staycation that exceeds all
expectations!
In recent years, the popularity of London city break has gone from strength to strength. It seems that millennials are doing away with the week beach break and instead favouring three days in one of the world’s great metropolises.
As you can see from this post from UK travel association ABTA, statistics now show that they are in fact as popular as beach holidays.
It’s really not hard to see why either. With more cheaper flights than ever and budget accommodation via Airbnb and other services, city breaks can prove to cost very little.
In fact, for the amount of money it takes to book one beach holiday, you could quite easily enjoy two city breaks.
When it comes to selecting a city break, there’s certainly a few everyone must visit. One of these is, of course, London.
London is bar far one of the most popular tourist cities on the planet. In fact, the Evening Standard reported earlier this year that a record 19 million tourist visited the English capital last year.
It’s pretty easy to see why too. London is both a city with a wealth of history and also bucket loads of contemporary attractions.
Just take a look at this post from Planet Ware, which lists a number of world famous attractions.
If you’re planning on visiting this marvelous city, it would be beneficial to learn a little about it first.
It’s called ‘21 Things You Didn’t Know About London’ and you can see it for yourself below.
It covers some truly fascinating things relating to contemporary London and also its rich history.
For example, do you know how many people use the LondonUnderground each year? Or why the Palace of Westminster is positioned on the River Thames? You can find the answers and plenty more fascinating things by reading the infographic.
Where In The World Can Brits Travel Without A Visa
The early stages of planning and booking a holiday can bring its fair share of headaches.
There is, of course, a great deal to think about. From settling on a location to booking the flights, choosing accommodation to arranging holiday insurance, the list goes on.
However, there is one thing which regardless of your journey you must not forget, your passport.
International border rulings can vary massively and are constantly altering, so it helps to have a globally respected passport.
British Holidaymakers
The British passport is certainly one of these and allows a holder into a lot of countries without the application of any other travel document.
Just take a look at this list of the world’s most powerful passports from The Telegraph. This article ranks the United Kingdom third in the world, closely behind Germany and Sweden.
However, despite its power, there are still certain countries which require some form of visa upon arrival.
Knowing which countries require a Brit to have a visa is important. Without one your dream holiday could turn into your worst nightmare.
Infographic
Thankfully, citybaseapartments.com has created a smart infographic which clearly displays all the relevant information.
The infographic is called ‘Where In The World Can Brits Travel Without A Visa’ and you can take a look at it at the bottom of this post.
It offers information on all types of visas, as they can differ quite a lot. In this case, there are three types, a standard visa, visa on arrival and an electronic visa.
The most straightforward of the three is a visa on arrival, which does what it says on the tin. You simply fill in a visa either while on the plane or when you land. The majority of countries which use theses are in Africa.
An electronic visa is a step up from this and a standard visa requires more planning than any other. So, next time you book a trip abroad, make sure that you have all the relevant documents at hand.
Take a look at the infographic for yourself below.
One of the beautiful things about travelling is the opportunity to be submerged in another culture’s language. If you’re familiar with a bit of Spanish or French, it is rewarding to battle your way through the occasional shop transaction without just using the international language of ‘louder English’. In bars and on public transport, it can be fun to figure out at least the subject that people are talking about – it doesn’t feel intrusive when you don’t have a clue what they’re actually saying about it.
In more far-flung places with languages that rarely cross the borders, it can be liberating to hear verbal sounds and emphases you’ve never heard before. You really get an idea of how strange and wonderful the very concept of language is when you literally can’t understand a word. And communication becomes about something deeper than words – and hopefully more patient!
But make your way to Great Britain, and it’s a whole new experience again. Of course, we’re all familiar with London accents and at least a smattering of sanitized southern slang that travels around the world smuggled in British film and music. Travel a little further afield, though, and something strange happens. If you can figure out the words that they’re saying in Glasgow, Keighley or Formby, you’ll recognize most of them as familiar English. But the sentences that they are found in seem to be part of a strange code that only people from certain parts of certain counties can understand!
“You’re all bum and parsley,” “you’re peckin’ me ‘ead,” “that’s the badger!” – what on earth are these tea-swilling lunatics talking about? Well, you can turn up prepared to deal with all manner of strange utterances by first taking a peek at this infographic from Sykes Cottages. Britain is going to be a ye olde linguistic adventure like no other – so here’s a guide to some of the odd expressions you’ll hear uttered on those fair isles.
The responsibility that comes with deciding where to take your family on holiday is huge. Do you decide to go for somewhere that pretty much guarantees a suntan or somewhere more known for its culture and heritage
Choosing to holiday in the UK, whether it’s for a short weekend away or even a couple of weeks, is a great option for many families these days. When you factor in the expensive flights and high exchange rates during the summer for holidays abroad, you can find that most of your budget is soaked up.
2016 is a quintessential year for Britain and British culture, with it being 400 years since the death of Shakespeare and the 90th birthday of the Queen. Recent reports by the Office for National Statistics also found that 7.3 million overseas residents visited the UK between December 2015 and February 2016, which was up 6% compared to last year.
With more people choosing to discover Britain as a holiday destination, we’ve looked into some of the best reasons why you should consider a holiday in the UK this year.
Pack your bucket and spade
You might not immediately think it, but the UK has a great selection of beaches and fantastic seaside views. In fact, Blackpool was given the title of the best beach in the world according to Britons in a survey conducted by Post Office Money.
Undoubtedly, the best time to visit the beach is in the summer when you can sunbathe, build sandcastles and take a stroll along the promenade. However, you can still enjoy your time at the beach regardless of the weather. Being right by the beach means that there will be some of the best fresh seafood restaurants on hand and plenty of attractions to visit that will be suitable for the entire family. Who doesn’t still love a quick go on the 2p arcade machines?
Experience the culture
Britain is home to 29 World Heritage sites, which all offer something different, but the chances are that you won’t have to go far to find a slice of British culture.
The country is widely recognised around the world as one of the best destinations for heritage and culture, with every city having its own story to tell. Hop on board and explore the expansive history that Britain has to offer throughout its many attractions, museums, castles and spacious lands.
All you can eat
Whether it’s a pasty in the countryside, fish and chips on the pier, a Full English breakfast or a Sunday roast in a country pub, Britain has a fine selection of traditional meals on offer for hungry visitors.
Wherever you go, make sure you try out some locally-sourced dishes and see what your holiday destination has to offer to your taste buds. You never know, you might be able to impress your friends with your newly found culinary inspiration at your next dinner party.
Dust off your wellies
There are a number of different festivals and events that take place around the UK each year and many are worth seeing for yourself!
If it’s music you’re into, then there are a vast selection of different music festivals for any taste imaginable. Outside of the world of the music, you have festivals focusing on arts, sports, entertainment and just generally having a good time.
Most festivals will offer the option to purchase family tickets, so keep an eye out for the best deal!
The adventure of your lifetime
You don’t have to venture as far as New Zealand to seek out some adventure in your holiday. The UK is renowned for it’s awe-inspiring mountains, coastlines, and views, so get your bags packed and see where you end up.
Whatever your interest, there’s something for everyone. Sailing, sea kayaking, mountain biking and even horse riding can all be found throughout the country. If you’re looking for something a little less extreme, Britain is still known for its vast landscapes and walking opportunities and is a great way to show little ones the natural beauty of the country.
Ultimately, Britain is surrounded by sights that the entire family will enjoy and remember for years to come. Wherever it’s a city trip or a weekend in a beach resort, you’ll find something for everyone.
Adam Maidment writes on behalf of VisitBlackpool, the UK’s number one beach resort for families. With plenty of attractions, events, and activities for children of all ages, Blackpool is the perfect holiday destination for your family all year round.
Whether it’s an adventure break, a venture into the enormous outdoors or an exotic food and drink experience, weekend getaways help you relax, unwind and explore. A break to London can surely do you good. Break away from the daily mundane of life with our selection of weekend trips to London. If you are spending 2 days in London, our itinerary will be a great help for you. Here is how you can make most of your weekend trip to London.
Day 1
Start your day eating English breakfast and head to see the true heart of the London City – Trafalgar Square, which is the largest square in London, where all significant cultural events take place.
Trafalgar Square
Then explore other popular tourist attractions such as London Eye-Take a ride at the largest Ferris wheel and enjoy the impressive views of the city from the top.
London Eye
Now head to see the famous Big Ben– major London landmark Clock Tower with 4 clock faces.
Big Ben
Your next destination will be the royal Buckingham Palace– The royal residence of British Monarch, in this majestic palace, the must-see attraction is watching the grand Changing the Guard ceremony.
Buckingham Palace
All attractions are must-visit as it will offer you insights into the rich historical, cultural and royal past of London.
You can finish your day, visiting in one of the great museums. Head to British Museum– World’s oldest museum, this huge Museum’s collection comprises mummies, the Rosetta Stone, the Lewis Chessmen and the Sutton Hoo Ship Burial, among others.
British Museum
If you are left with some time, visit National Gallery– Holding a collection of over 2,600 pieces and amazing classic art forms.
After exploring such iconic monuments, museums and palaces, relax and unwind at one of the popular restaurants for dinner. Dine at Arabica Bar and kitchen to try cuisines in new flavour and combination and get pampered by the attentive staff.
For a short term stay, you can choose from some of the popular neighbourhoods in London like Camden, Islington, Shoreditch, Chelsea and Westminster. If you are looking for an accommodation in budget, book a holiday rental serviced apartment which is best for short term stay in London. These apartments are located in all the popular neighbourhoods, offering you a great alternative to a hotel room. Take rest and unwind yourself so that you can start your second day trip with similar enthusiasm.
Day 2
On the second day of your trip head to the Windsor Castle that opens between 9:30AM–5:30PM. The castle is a royal residence at Windsor, popular for its long alliance with the British royal family and for its grand architecture.
Windsor Castle
Next, you can enjoy a walk in the Greenwich Park in the lap of nature. Now explore the landmarks in the centre like the Tower Bridge and St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Finish your day by going on a shopping spree at Oxford Street. Europe’s busiest shopping street, here you can find 300 shops selling everything from mix of high-street fashion and brands, including Topshop, Gap, River Island and endless popular department stores.
Oxford Street
After spending a long day exploring London’s iconic landmarks and shopping your heart out, it’s time to relax and enjoy dinner. With al fresco dining at St Christopher’s Place and cocktails in Apres, you can soak up in the ambiance and it’s worth spending a bit of extra time in this area. Go back home with some exclusive memories of London weekend!
Best Travel Guides to Destinations Around the World
