One in five Brits has never been on a holiday abroad, a study has revealed. Costs, hassle of dealing with immigration and passports and fears of exotic bugs and animals mean that more than a fifth of Brits have never set foot in a foreign country.
No language barrier, being familiar with the culture and traditions and not being too far away from home were also named as reasons for sticking to the UK for a holiday.
Even of those who have gone abroad, more than half said it ended up ruined thanks to sunburn, travel delays and illness and wished they had chosen a UK staycation instead.
A spokesman for insect repellent Jungle Formula, which commissioned the research, said:
''There was a time when people felt they hadn't been on holiday unless they had been on a plane.
''But it seems that more people than ever are content to stay in the UK and enjoy what we have on our doorstep.
''The recession has also had an effect with people having to tighten their belts and stop splashing out on luxuries like a foreign holiday and stay in the UK instead.
''There is so much to do in the UK and it seems that Brits are becoming happier than ever to enjoy what is on their doorstep without the added worries of travelling abroad."
The study of 2,000 Brits revealed that 62% hate having to deal with airports and passport control, while 45% can't justify spending the extra money to travel abroad.
Almost a third also admit it is harder to pack for a foreign break, with another 31% finding it a struggle to speak a different language.
Having more to explore in the UK and not needing any vaccinations are also among the reasons for not leaving the country.
Researchers also found that breaks in the UK are less stressful than exotic holidays abroad;
- Almost half of the families who had been on a foreign and UK-based break named a foreign jaunt as the most stressful, with just 20% saying the same about a camping trip.
- A holiday abroad sees an of average more than seven hours spent travelling, with a massive 76% saying they find it hectic.
- A break in this country will mean an average journey lasting just three hours and 37 minutes, with almost one in ten travelling for less than an hour to get to their destination.
It's not just the journey that leaves Brits favouring a UK camping break; 58% of people are more likely to worry about falling ill when holidaying abroad.
Half of Brits have also suffered some sort of injury or illness when on an exotic holiday overseas, while one in five have had a foreign break ruined by insect bites.
Another 16% said their holiday abroad was wrecked by delays and cancellations at the airport and 12% said it was spoiled by bad insect bites.
A spokesman for Jungle Formula added:
'' The research marks the launch of new product, Jungle Formula Outdoor & Camping.
''Designed specifically for 'staycations' and use in outdoor situations such as at a bbq, picnic, while gardening or during a camping trip, Jungle Formula Outdoor & Camping protects against biting insects commonly found across the UK including mosquitoes, midges, bees, wasps and horseflies.''
TOP TEN STRESSFUL THINGS ABOUT HOLIDAYS ABROAD
1. Having to deal with airports/passport control
2. The expense/cost
3. It's stressful packing everything you need to go abroad
4. Language barrier
5. Having to deal with animals/bugs which aren't an issue in the UK
6. Having to have vaccinations
7. Being so far away from home
8. I don't feel as confident letting my kids explore as much as I would in the UK because they don't know the area/culture
9. The kids are still able to watch TV/play their computer games
10. Children want to join kids clubs so don't want to do anything as a family
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