Consumers 'cutting back on essentials before holidays'

Regular holidays have become so important for many British people that spending on essential items is being reduced to save money for getaways, according to research.

Tourism agencies VisitBritain and Visit London carried out a survey of the British public which found that 90 per cent of people are currently trying to cut back on expenditure, but only 45 per cent are planning to spend less on holidays.

Instead, many respondents said they are reducing outlay on necessities such as food (80 per cent), fuel (74 per cent) and clothing (67 per cent).

The survey also found that the credit crunch could lead to an increase in ferry trips and other holidays within the UK, with half (51 per cent) of respondents saying they have been put off travelling abroad by the belief that flight costs are rising.

Some 20 per cent of people who took a foreign break last year said they plan to save money over the coming 12 months by choosing the UK instead.

Mike Bedingfield, VisitBritain's marketing director in Britain, said: "As the research shows we are reluctant to give up the holidays that are an increasingly important part of our lives.

"However, the economic downturn is likely to affect the kinds of holidays we take, whether here in the UK or overseas, and the length of these."

One of the most important aspects of ferry breaks and other getaways for British people is their 'stress-busting' quality, according to the research, which makes them one of the last things to be sacrificed during difficult times.

Ryde - Southsea

1 x Foot Passenger(s) Return

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21/02/2012 - 21/02/2012

£10

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Fishbourne - Portsmouth

Car + 2 Return

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13/03/2012 - 15/03/2012

£64

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Fishbourne - Portsmouth

Car + 4 Return

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06/07/2012 - 09/07/2012

£93

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