Brits are turning their backs on the European city break – as half of holidaymakers feel they are not good value for money.
With accommodation alone for a weekend away costing an average of £382, and a further £229 splashed out on food during the break, the average short trip to Europe adds up to nearly £1,000 per person.
And as research shows a family of three would pay the same for a week-long Spanish seaside holiday, 46% of holidaymakers are thinking of changing their approach to getaways – and replacing several short breaks during the year, with one longer holiday.
A survey of 1,500 adults, who have taken a European weekend trip during the past three years, found that three in ten feel it is important to them to get the best value out of their travels.
As a result, half of Brits would think twice about taking another European city break anytime soon, due to the costs involved – including £182 spent on visiting all the must-see sites while there.
Gary Anslow, director of sales in the UK and Ireland for Norwegian Cruise Line, which commissioned the research, said: “Brits have a real hunger for exploring the world, but the rising cost of travel is an ongoing challenge.
“Our research found that half of holidaymakers like to visit a new place every time they go on a trip, and one in three want the best of both worlds – a pool-side holiday and city break wrapped up into one.
“With inter-sailing where you visit multiple cities on a cruise holiday, you can do it all.”
It emerged accommodation, food and drink, and getting to the destination are the leading items which travellers think cost too much on a city break.
And the biggest concerns when it comes to booking a city break include awkward flight times eating into the trip (34%), increasing costs for short-haul flights (32%), and not being able to fit in everything you want to see in a short space of time (30%).
Despite this, holidaymakers have been on four city-based getaways in the last five years.
The research also found it is Italy which holidaymakers have in their sights for their next trip – with Florence and Venice leading the way.
And Barcelona, Reykjavik, and Lisbon are also popular hotspots for holiday planners.
However, 61% of those polled, via OnePoll, did admit with the price of holidays increasing, they would consider cutting down on eating out, activities, and excursions whilst on holiday, to keep costs low.
