Why do people want to go on holidays abroad this summer? (Not travel to family)

[WombatChocolate]

Given we have put in huge efforts to reduce the virus in this country over many months, I struggle why people (not the holiday industry) are so keen to whizz off for a couple of weeks of sun, when we know the virus is surging in parts of the world.

What is this about?

The only thing I can think of which makes any sense to me is that they have already booked, or had a booking carried forward from last year and fear losing the money. Somehow they would rather go than sacrifice the money and that has led to large numbers wanting to go.

We all know that mutants will come into the country through travel and it’s impossible to keep them out, so why do people want to go so much?

Is it that they just love a sunny holiday so much they don’t think about the possible consequences? Is it that they do t want to lose the money? Is it that they are jabbed and so don’t believe their travel can have any consequences? Is it that they don’t know about levels of virus around the world? Or is it that because the holiday industry wants to open up (very understandably) they have been influenced by them?

I really understand people who have family abroad, how difficult the travel issue is for them and I do understand why they want to go and often feel they must go. I’m not asking about that. It’s just the standard holiday I’m interested in, because I don’t really get it.

Anyone who has thoughts about it, or is keen to go and feels like saying why.....many thanks in advance for your thoughts.

I don t find it helpful when people categorically state they are right an.d everyone else is wrong about this....from any starting viewpoint. In my view, it is complex, although for lots of individuals with very different views, the issue is very clear-cut and seemingly simple.

Just because people disagree with you, it doesn't mean that you are the only one with the capacity for complex thinking.

The same reason people want to go abroad on holiday any time. To see new places, new people, exerience new things, have fun, relax, re-charge etc. Because a life lived in fear is not a life lived at all???

Sun.

If the Uk opens to visitors which I think we will then they will bring covid anyway. I'm not sitting at home missing out on holidays for foreign visitors to come and bring it anyway. Holidays are the only thing I live for and after a crappy year already I'll be going as soon as possible. We can't hide in our houses forever.

Because I want to go on holiday. Simple as that

@snowcobra

Because I want to go on holiday. Simple as that

Yep. Human nature (of some). Just as some people want to go out drinking and want to use their car to get home. Simple as that.

Lol so now going on holiday is the same as drinking and driving 🤣

Am totally sick of preachy threads like this.

@Bordois

Lol so now going on holiday is the same as drinking and driving 🤣

Lol during a pandemic with a virus (including new strains from abroad) that spreads through mass movement and mixing of people, what's the difference?

A virus that in the UK alone has killed more than 150,000 people, ruined businesses, and left over 1 million suffering long term illness.

I am just sad about how UK tourist places have decided this is the year to charge a massive amount in summer holidays for a family to have a week by the UK coast.
Means we will not go abroad, as too risky and my priority is children in school not a week in the sun ( ok if had keyworker places all though I guess!) - but also cannot afford a week in the Uk now either.

I've booked a holiday in the US which was planned and booked for 2020 so feel I'd still like to do it before my older son starts Uni and is too cool to holiday with his family. Without wishing to stealth boast, we've booked first class flights on airmiles, and will have been fully vaccinated, so don't feel vulnerable flying. The holiday is mainly beach and outdoors stuff. I suspect my children have probably had covid from school and/or travelling on the tube to school.

Given the vaccination program in the US and the number of people entering the UK every day for various reasons (seeing the 7 hour queue at Heathrow), I don't feel that guilty for wanting to travel. It's nice to have hot weather and a change of scene. Appreciate my holiday hiatus is insignificant in the horrors of the last year but I've realised what value I place on travelling overseas when it's no longer taken for granted.

I love holidays and travelling and being abroad. I have no interest in holidaying in the U.K. Can easily quarantine at home on return to U.K. (did that last year in fact).

@LondonWFuck

I love holidays and travelling and being abroad. I have no interest in holidaying in the U.K. Can easily quarantine at home on return to U.K. (did that last year in fact).

Do you live at the airport? If not, how did you quarantine?

No I don't live at the airport. I went home and quarantined from there, as was the requirement at the time.

Yep. Human nature (of some).
Just as some people want to go out drinking and want to use their car to get home. Simple as that.

😂😂😂. Funniest thing I've read today.

I don’t get it either. I love travel and shall be looking forward to it once its safe again but won’t entertain going this year and risking bringing something back with us.

I suspect if we end up back in restrictions many of those who went will be moaning about the lack of shops and school.

@Poppystars

I am just sad about how UK tourist places have decided this is the year to charge a massive amount in summer holidays for a family to have a week by the UK coast. Means we will not go abroad, as too risky and my priority is children in school not a week in the sun ( ok if had keyworker places all though I guess!) - but also cannot afford a week in the Uk now either.

Why shouldn't they? All the bloody lockdowns have left a lot of their businesses hanging by a thread. They're not charities.

Because you’re so obviously a caring, considerate, measured deep thinker OP and we’re all selfish, thick assholes. That’s obviously what you’re wanting to post in your multiple passive aggressive musings about how you’re considering the issue.
Meanwhile most people can understand the desire to travel and holiday abroad after a year of restrictions. It’s really not difficult to understand as many other posters have pointed out.

If you parked at the long-stay car park and didn't stop for petrol, and you live alone (or your whole household isolated), fair enough.

Unfortunately a large number of people travel back from airports on public transport - train, cab, or (if their own car) would need to do a petrol/loo stop en-route.

It might be within the guidelines of what our government calls a quarantine but that is not a real one.

At the end of the day, I complied with all requirements. The quarantine rule actually came in while we were at the airport waiting to head to our destination. No bother, we just handled it when we got back. It got a bit boring towards the end, but there it is.

People here believe holidays are essential for mental wellbeing? In that case, we urgently need to set up a welfare fund for the many people living in poverty who can't afford annual holidays.

It would definitely lift the spirits after queuing in food banks to feed their families.

I'm happy for some of my tax money to be used for it (post pandemic). Anyone else? Judging by the posts arguing passionately why a need for foreign holiday is more important than pandemic precautions, I assume you'll all be with me.

Cos I like hot weather & England is shit 😂 I flipping love my couple weeks in the sun!

@RoseWineTime

We have a holiday to Crete booked in August. DH and I are both double jabbed but our teenage daughters aren’t yet. Our holiday was cancelled last year anc rearranged for this year. It’s a self catering holiday in a villa and seems relatively risk free apart from the plane/airport. If Greece gets rates down due to vaccination then I think it will be pretty safe. Our holiday last year was meant to celebrate the end of A levels snd GCSEs and I think this mighgg to be the last year our daughters want to come away with us.

Don’t worry, as long as you are paying they will always still want to go away with you, they just do both family and friends holidays. I speak from experience 😀

Oh & im probably inherently selfish if the OP is anything to go by 😂

Because people have had such a shit year. I went on 3 holidays last year to low case countries and tested on my way there. We had a brilliant time seeing family as well. The locals were thankful because they had a shit time (financially). I don't find it selfish and in fact good on them. I will go again if I can to see family this summer and have a holiday.

The sea smell, the seafood smell, the holiday smell, the guaranteed hot weather you don't get here. Ok I know we are an island but come on the prices are extortionate and you are likely spend a week with rain. We've been all stuck at home for nearly 6 months if we count the November lockdown or even more for other places in the UK. Everyone deserves a holiday