Overspending Brits break holiday budget

[Sazz]

The average British traveller overspends by a �100 while on holiday, a new survey reveals.

According to research carried out by travel website www.cheapholidaydeals.co.uk, 67 per cent of us set a holiday spending budget and don't stick to it.

Over a quarter of cash-happy travellers admitted to splashing out �250 more than they originally planned.

The main area of financial weakness for British holidaymakers was found to be food and drink with 50 per cent of travellers confessing to overspending on 'eating out and alcohol'.

Countries with the American dollar remain the best bet for travellers looking to make their budget go further. Holidaymakers heading for Europe this year can expect an unfavourable exchange rate as the Euro continues to soar.

Speaking on current rates at the British Travel Trade Fair, organiser Graeme Barnett said: 'Two years ago, �100 would have cost �61.73. At the moment �100 costs about �68.50 - a rise of 11 per cent'.

The most reluctant penny-pinchers were found to be young British travellers. 76 per cent of 18 to 29 year olds admitted not keeping a check on holiday spends.

And the main reason cited for over-indulgence? Relaxing. 86 per cent blamed a 'carefree attitude
whilst away and losing track of spending' for any debt accrued while on holiday.

'These results show that for Brits holidays are clearly about fun not finance,' says David Soskin, CEO of Cheapholidaydeals.co.uk.

'When you consider that the average package holiday costs �460 per person, some people are overspending by half the cost of their actual
holiday. The thought of debt seems to evaporate in the sun.'

The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) estimates around 40 million UK travellers will go on holiday this year resulting in more than a �1 billion of over-spending.


from thisistravel.co.uk