Moneysupermarket.com Group : How Brits will travel in 2012

• 96 per cent of Brits to take a holiday in 2012 
• 51 per cent to go away for eight days or more
• Beach holidays remain our number one choice
• Self-catering accommodation now preferred by one in three as Brits seek to manage holiday budgets

The extensive study also demonstrated that one in four (26 per cent) plan to take a longer holiday in 2012 than they did in 2011, signifying the nation's desire to get away from it all and take a 'proper break'.

The research showed that in 2011 just 36 per cent took a longer main holiday of eight to 14 days. But this trend is set to turn on its head in 2012 as 41 per cent of respondents said that they intend to take a longer holiday of eight to 14 days in 2012. Some Brits are going to take very long breaks in 2012, with ten per cent planning to take a main holiday of 15 days or more and seven per cent heading off for an extended break of over 21 days.

However, while a longer break away is winning favour it is the shorter trips which are losing out. Breaks away for one to three nights are down from 11 per cent in 2011 vs. five per cent in 2012, while mid-length breaks of four to seven nights are down from 42 per cent in 2011 vs. 36 per cent in 2012.

Managing costs in 2012 is going to be a key theme for Brits when making their holiday decisions. A continuing trend in accommodation choice will see Brits moving away from traditional hotels and opting for self-catered villas and apartments, with 31 per cent of Brits favouring this. All-inclusive breaks are gaining ground, up two per cent on 2011 with 12 per cent of holidays being all inclusive in 2012. Eleven per cent of Brits will opt for B&B as their main accommodation choice in 2012, down from 14 per cent in 2011. Just six per cent of Brits will look to book a hotel room only, while five per cent of Brits will opt for full-board accommodation.

When it comes to the type of holiday we plan to take, the beach holiday remains the most popular choice with over a third of Brits (37 per cent) opting for sea and sunshine in 2012. This is up slightly from 2011 when 35 per cent went on a beachside break. Cruise holidays have also been growing in popularity year-on-year for over a decade, and 2012 is set to be no different. Six per cent of Brits opted for a cruise holiday in 2011, but this will increase to seven per cent in 2012.

The research found the popularity of the beach holiday is up at the expense of other holiday types. In 2011, 11 per cent took a city break as their main holiday, but this is set to dip to eight per cent in 2012. Camping, which has proved a popular 'staycation' choice in recent years, is also on the wane, falling from 10 per cent in 2011 to eight per cent in 2012.
Perhaps due to events such as the European Football Championships and the London Olympics, those looking to take a sporting holiday have increased slightly - four per cent of Brits will be taking a holiday based around a sporting event in 2012 compared to three per cent in 2011.

Bob Atkinson, travel expert from TravelSupermarket commented: "Although many of us like to take shorter, more frequent breaks throughout the year, this research suggests that in 2012 Brits want a 'proper' break and to get away for over a week.

"We have seen that in 2012 there will be a significant decrease in those taking a short break of less than seven nights. Perhaps thought of as an 'extra' break the research also shows a reduction in the number of people going away for stag and hen dos, nights away for a special occasion and for friends or family weddings. However, the reduced demand may well lead to an increase in the number of bargains around, in which case we may see short breaks pick up again in the second half of the year.

"The popularity of all-inclusive and cruise holidays in 2012 demonstrates how Brits are looking to tightly manage their holiday budget and control costs. Equally, it's no surprise that self-catering continues to be popular - it is a great way to save money on your next holiday and manage your holiday budget while you're away. Once you're there, there isn't the temptation of a mini bar or room service to drive up costs. Holiday villas and apartments also mean you can save a fortune on eating out by purchasing fresh, local produce from the markets and making the most of the kitchen facilities and even dine al fresco on the balcony or in the garden.

"January is a key booking time for holidaymakers and whatever their holiday choices are, my advice is to do some research online and use a price comparison website to make sure you get the best deal whether you are booking a package holiday, separate fight and hotel, or a cruise. Shopping around for the extras such as airport parking, travel money and travel insurance can also save holidaymakers literally hundreds of pounds."

Findings taken from the forthcoming TravelSupermarket Travel Trends Tracker, due to be published early next year. This is the second press release taken from the Travel Trends Tracker.

-Ends-

Notes to Editors:
*Opinium Research carried out an online survey of 5,187 UK adults, on behalf of TravelSupermarket.com, aged 18+ from 9 to 23 November 2011. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria

Table of results: 2011 v 2012

	2011	2012
Went/will go on holiday	91%	96%	á
Length of Main Holiday
1-3 nights	11%	5%	â
4-7 nights	42%	36%	â
8-14 nights	36%	41 %	á
15-20 nights	3%	3%	-
21 nights plus	8%	7%	â
Accommodation/board arrangements on main holiday
Self-catering	33%	31%	â
Bed and Breakfast	14%	11%	â
All-inclusive	10%	12%	á
Half Board	10%	11%	á
Room Only	8%	6%	â
Full Board	5%	5%	-
Holiday type - main holiday
Beach Holiday	26%	28%	á
Cottage / Villa break	12%	11%	â
City Break	11%	8%	â
Camping / Caravan	10%	8%	â
Cruise	5%	5%	-
Holiday type - any holiday taken that year
Beach Holiday	35%	37%	á
City Break	31%	28%	â
Cottage / Villa Holiday	19%	19%	-
Camping / Caravan	17%	15%	â
Cruise	6%	7%	á
Sports event holiday	3%	4%	á

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