Do "most" people really have an annual foreign holiday?

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Reading on here how many people feel their annual getaway is essential, I'm surprised.

In my imeadiate circle, I'd say less than half go abroad every year. My parents haven't been abroad in years, although they do travel a lot in UK and could certainly afford it if they wanted to.

My closest friends occasionally visit family in France but generally don't like to be away from home.

My sister goes camping in France about once every 3 years, when they can afford it.

We're at a fairly comfortable stage in life and have had foreign holidays but quite often choose the Lakes instead.

My boss, on a six figure salary, has a camper van and usually stays in UK.

My young adult children are more likely to do an activity holiday with friends in UK than a lads beach and booze holiday.

I also know quite a few people who won't fly for environmental reasons.

Obviously, I do know people who go abroad too, but in my circle I don't think "most" people go abroad every year, even those who comfortably could if they wanted to.

I've tried to find some stats, but failed. Does anyone know?

I also want to know how you get 5 people to Portugal, Corfu or Italy with car hire, airport transfers for a week @ £900

Just had a look and it is possible. Flights this August for 2 adults and 3 children are £292
Presumably these sort of prices will be similar next year as Airbnb is looking pretty sparse for the cheaper holiday homes but if you go next year there are 3 bed houses houses and apartments that sleep 5 for £66 per night and they come with swimming pool

Then you have £138 that covers taxes or can be put towards you shopping or eating out budget

Never been to Portugal but I have heard it is much cheaper that the U.K. to eat out

Am surprised by this thread as amongst my friends, large family and colleagues, neighbours even I can only think of one family who I know don't go abroad regularly.

The idea this is because we're all deeply dissatisfied with our lives here is ludicrous. I go abroad several times a year. Usually a combination of a family holiday, a family city break, an anniversary trip with DH and then sometimes a group of friends.

We aren't spending all that time on a beach, we love going somewhere new and seeing something different. We have friends and family abroad too.

The UK has never been good to us for holidays, mainly the unreliable weather and tbh just don't enjoy going to places where it feels like identikit towns of Pubs, Tescos, WH Smiths and Boots. We do go off and visit friends and a few places but it isn't the same joy as going abroad.

I go on holiday abroad at least three times a year. I can't recall it being less for at least ten years. All my friends are the same.

However. I am not talking about two weeks in Corfu for any/all these trips. Most of mine are a long weekend in Rome, Ten days in South of France, Two weeks in California, that kind of thing. Probably one holiday alone, one or two with the nuclear family, and a couple with me and my friends (not family.)

My group range a lot in terms of income but we all seem to prioritise travel and do pretty similar holidays.

Not that many of my friends go abroad every year. Maybe once every 3 years or so. Will holiday in the UK. One friends parents have a house out in Portugal so goes there a fair amount.

My parents have travelled far and wide as has my brother (goes abroad 3x a year plus several home country holidays).

I won't fly so only UK holidays for me (two - three times a year).

My kids are far more travelled than me.

I have quite a mixed circle - working class background but work in a city firm. My experiences are:

• working class family hugely prioritise a week abroad in the sun and would despise a U.K. holiday.
• older parents with pets don’t really travel at all.
• young couples im friends with / at work travel abroad a lot. Multiple international trips a year.
• young single people travel less, wouldn’t really do a U.K. holiday but might to a city break in Europe with friends once a year.
• older people at work with kids tend to do U.K. holidays despite out earning everyone else (these people are all on £100k plus).

I've seen several threads like this over the last few months, pouring scorn on anyone who is disappointed they can't go on a foreign holiday.

Many people enjoy travel, it's an experience of another culture, a different climate, a break from the norm. To suggest that those that can't wait to 'get away' have something lacking in their daily lives is silly. Life is not about finding one good thing and sticking with it- everyone's life is made richer from varied experiences.

I personally try to go abroad at least once a year, more if time and money allow.

And to those berating others for complaining as if 'it's their 'God given right' to go abroad', What? Of course it's their right to go abroad, we all have a right to do go wherever we choose and do whatever we choose- it's meant to be a free world- we should be fighting for that freedom! Yes, these are unprecedented times, but there comes a point...

I know a good few people/families that do a foreign holiday every year, not really anyone who's really struggling without though, we prefer UK holidays at the mo because we have a toddler and find it's much easier - we don't usually stray too far from home either no more that 2hrs and we've always had a great time.

We do, UK holidays are ridiculously expensive so I'd rather spend the money going somewhere with pretty much guaranteed weather and something different to see

Usually we go every other year/ but in-laws pay a chunk of it otherwise we would struggle to afford it as a family of five - I'd find it hard to justify £3500 for a week
We had to rebook our Greek holiday from last year so it's actually three years since we've gone abroad
I don't want to go abroad this summer and don't think it's the right time for international travel
My in laws definitely see it as a right abs an essential and don't seem to understand any of the arguments against foreign holidays 🙄
Personally I find going abroad stressful in normal times so the thought of tests and quarantine etc totally puts me off but kids and husband love going abroad
I have become a terrible cliched Brit abroad and get a funny tummy first few days, struggle in the heat and can't stand the loo roll in the bin and not being able to drink tap water
My dream holiday would be a hot week somewhere like camber sands or Cromer !!

Before covid, yes. Pretty much everyone I know.

Nope. Not been abroad in over ten years. Haven't had even a UK holiday in five years.

Yes nearly everyone I know does.

When I was younger (teenager) my parents took us on 2 a year, one was a city break in Europe and was a more typical beach area holiday. But the beach holidays weren't ones where we just lay on the beach we would go on day trips and days out etc.

My parents now usually go on 3 holidays a year. My grandma usually goes abroad twice a year.

For me and DH up to 2019 we went away between 1 and 3 times a year every year. Last holiday for us was a long haul holiday at the end if 2019 and I feel desperate for a holiday now as for me its what I work for and save up for.

We did go down south for a week last year when things opened up but I dont think of it as a holiday in the same way as much as I enjoyed it.

we do the Sun Holidays, and have considered the abroad part of that, the furthest was Isle of Wight, which i loved

Most people I know - yes they do in recent years

Me - rarely

I think it really varies, I have four foreign holidays a year, lots of my friends only have foreign every few years. Some of my relatives could easily afford foreign holidays but never go anywhere including going on UK holidays.

We go abroad at least twice a year normally. I like the UK and do holiday here too but I like to experience other cultures, weather, scenery, languages. It's important to me.

Of my family and friends, some go abroad every year, others never do.

I actually really enjoy exploring the UK. My parents were immigrants so we never got that opportunity when younger.

Pre DC we used to holiday abroad a lot.

Weekends away with friends or as a couple, destination weddings, music festivals and usually a week long trip somewhere. Long haul was every other year on average.

We like new experiences, guaranteed sun, culture and foreign parties. Not to mention beach time and new/lovely food.

Travel out of school holidays and last min booking can be fairly cheap plus we were open about destination and saved monthly into a holiday pot.

We’ve been long haul once when toddler was a baby, and was due to book something last year before I returned to work.

We always knew frequent holidays would stop with DC, and now are fairly content with child focused days out - I find U.K. holidays very poor value for money and dread the thought of a rainy cold holiday, but plan to do so as DC gets a bit older.

We did a mix. We did mainly UK holidays when the DC were small as it was easier for us. Then we had a period when we were fairly flush and managed a May half term break abroad, plus a UK break in the summer holidays, and then a long haul, once in a lifetime holiday.

I cannot be dealing with the testing, quarantine, will-we-won't-be-be-isolating/ going at all stress at the moment, so UK holidays it is until things are a bit more settled.

are foreign holidays very white middle class/workign class?

I do, holidaying in the UK recently has made me realise that holidaying in the UK is expensive.

The year before lockdown I did Disney Paris (three days), Spain (7 nights), Japan (world cup) and Sweden (two nights). Apart from Disney I used airbnb which is cheaper than hotels etc, I also cook on holiday due to allergies etc, so that does reduce some fairly significant costs.

Won't it depend on your circle whether "most people" do?

Mine do, all 40+ and child free. I tend to do a big trip every year, Japan recently or Alaska. I am 40+ I have seen most of the uk and see more places over the years as I attend weddings or visit friends or have city breaks. 2 weeks holiday in uk would be odd. I may do a uk cruise later this year but that's more about cruising than being in the uk.

If we stay home for 2 weeks we would do normal stuff, being "away" forces us to not work, read books all day, chill out.

Pre-pandemic, we were holidaying abroad about twice a year. I haven't been anywhere since 2019 and I really miss it. France, Spain, Italy, Turkey... I just love anything that's new and exotic. Photography is one of my pleasures so I always feel super inspired when on holiday. Love sampling new food as well. We tend not to do beach holidays as we both love to explore, sightsee, etc.

I've travelled extensively in Spain (I love Seville & Valencia) as dining out is relatively cheap there: Last week I had tapas in Brindisa in South Kensington where, for example, I was charged £9 for 5 prawns in garlic, whereas in Spain you may get this free with your 3 Euro beer or wine or
or pay 3 euros for the tapas. I have friends who have started their own businesses or retired there and live really well and simply... and of course, you get the added bonus of relatively good weather. I could definitely see myself living there or somewhere in Europe in later life.

We never did as kids, we always went camping in the U.K. I hadn’t been on a plane til I was in my early 20s. DD is 12, has only been abroad once.

I’ve often wondered how, when so many people will claim to be struggling for money, they manage a family holiday overseas in the school holiday season. We’re pretty well off but it would put a fair dent in our spending.