NEWS COPY
Millions of Brits already have ALL of their holidays and annual leave booked for 2020.
A study of 2,000 UK adults found nearly a third of the nation were planning their trips for the year ahead before it even started.
In a bid to beat colleagues in the race to secure annual leave and to give themselves something to look forward to, one in four have even got trips planned for 2021.
Nearly two-fifths book so far in advance because they like to be organised, with one in five saying it helps lift their mood at the time of booking.
And more than a quarter do so in order to spread the cost, so they can budget for their time away.
Nigel Wolstenholme, head of consumer brand for Rentalcars.com, which commissioned the research, said: “The excitement of planning a holiday lasts all the way from the moment you book to the day you travel, because there’s lots to think about in between.
“Booking early tends to be the best way to get a good deal – and it means you’ve got plenty of time to research and find the most suitable options for your trip.
“Leaving things like hiring a car or booking excursions to the last minute means prices are likely to have gone up, and there’ll be fewer options left to choose between.
"It’s better to build them into your itinerary from the start.”
The study found the average Brit already had 10 working days – two weeks – booked off work before 2020 had started.
And whether it’s a long weekend away or a two-week adventure, on average, UK adults plan to take three separate trips this year – with one in 10 planning six or more.
More than a fifth are only planning on treating themselves to ‘staycations’ in the year ahead, while seven in 10 are organising something a little more exotic, and half are doing a bit of both.
Whether they’re staying at home or heading overseas, a quarter plan to hire a car so they can see and do as much as possible on their trip, with more than one in five planning to cover multiple destinations by road.
Others rely on a rental car so they can take all the bags, suitcases and equipment they need, while a fifth enjoy the flexibility of coming and going as they please.
Rentalcars.com’s Nigel Wolstenholme added: “Our research found that the average cost of a weekend away in Great Britain is £473, compared to £722 to spend on a weekend abroad.
“The most common destinations for 2020 are Spain, Italy and France, and with hire cars available from as little as £15 per day, hitting the road isn’t just an exciting way to explore – it’s cost-effective, too.”
As well as mainland Europe, the United States is proving popular for British travelers this year, with one in seven planning to cross the pond.
Far-flung destinations like Thailand, Australia and the United Arab Emirates are also attracting visitors from the UK, with a handful even heading to Oman, Panama and Sri Lanka.
The research also found that most Brits will be travelling abroad with their partners this year (two thirds) and more than one in three will have the kids in tow.
One in 20 are vacationing with the in-laws, with an equal percentage heading off with colleagues from work.
And a brave one in seven will enjoy a truly relaxing break in their own company.
ENDS
