A new survey shows the recession is continuing to have a major effect on Irish people’s holiday plans with 41% of respondents saying they have changed their holiday plans due to deteriorating financial circumstances. This is over double last year’s figure of 20%.
According to the survey, which was carried out by MyHome.ie, 44.5% of Irish people are going abroad for their main holiday this year. This figure is up 5.5% on last year’s figure but still a long way down on the 53% who were going abroad in 2010.
Twenty six per-cent of respondents said they would be holidaying in Ireland this summer with a quarter of this group saying they normally go abroad but would be staying in Ireland this year due to financial reasons.
While 17% said they planned to take a mix of breaks at home and away, 13% said they wouldn’t be taking any holiday this year. Over 2,000 people took part in the survey.
Almost half of those going abroad (47%) said the weather was the key factor, while over a quarter (26%) said they wanted a change of scene. Nine per cent said they got better value for money abroad.
Angela Keegan Managing Director of MyHome.ie said the figures showed the impact the recession and increased taxes were having on holiday spending.
‘This year we have seen a massive increase in the number of people changing their holiday plans due to salary cuts and extra taxes. Not surprisingly given the terrible weather we’ve also seen an increase in the number of people going abroad in search of sun but most if not all will probably be seeking cheaper options.
However there is some good news for domestic tourism and those choosing to holiday in Ireland in this survey with over two thirds of respondents (69%) saying the recession has led to better value here and 43% saying there is now better value in the holiday-home rental sector” Ms Keegan said.
Over a third of respondents (36%) said they would be staying in self-catering accommodation either here or abroad. The main reasons people opted for this type of accommodation were cost (34%) facilities (28%) and creating a home from home (23%).
Ms Keegan pointed out that MyHome.ie has over 4,000 properties available to choose from for anyone seeking to rent a holiday home for the Summer or indeed anyone planning an Autumn break later in the year.
