UK Holidaymakers to Spend £2,804 on Overseas Holidays and £1,754 on Staycations This Summer

• New American Express research reveals Brits’ holiday spending plans this summer
• 33% of Brits are planning both an overseas and a UK-based holiday

With holidays on the horizon for many, new research¹ from American Express shows that British holidaymakers expect to spend £2,804 across the summer on international trips, with almost 4 in 10 (39%) planning to spend more on foreign holidays this summer versus last.

Many UK travellers are planning to take multiple foreign holidays this summer (summer defined as 1 June to 30 September), with 39% of those going abroad planning at least two international trips.

Whether it’s a hotel, B&B or villa, accommodation is the highest area of spending for those holidaying overseas – costing £812 across summer. Travel comes in next, with Brits planning to spend nearly £698 reaching their getaway destinations, followed by holiday dining at £492.

No passport, no problem

The research, which is based on consumers’ self-reported data and does not reflect Amex Card Member spending data, also looked at staycations – the act of holidaying in one’s own home or home country.

The research revealed that it’s not just overseas holidays Brits are looking forward to. More than half of UK adults (53%) are planning to take, or have already taken, a staycation this summer.

In total, Brits taking domestic holidays will spend £1,754 across all their UK-based holidays this summer and one-third (33%) are planning to spend more on domestic holidays this summer versus last.

Holidaymakers in the UK will go on nearly two (1.8) domestic summer trips, on average. Younger travellers have the most appetite for discovering domestic holiday spots, with 63% of 18- to 34-year-olds planning a staycation this summer. The same is also true for international travel, at 59%.

City slickers

City breaks are the most popular type of UK holiday for staycationers, with nearly a third (30%) of domestic travellers planning to go away to a British city this summer. 78% of those going on staycations this summer say that proximity to restaurants, cafés and bars is an important factor when picking destinations.

London takes top spot for staycation city breaks, with 16% of domestic tourists looking for a taste of big city life in the capital, followed by Manchester (8%) and Edinburgh (8%).  

Outside of cities,16% of domestic tourists are planning to head to Wales, 14% to Cornwall and The Lake District, and 10% to Devon.

Word of mouth is the most likely factor to inspire our UK holidays. 41% of Brits say what, where and how they plan staycations is influenced by family and friends, with online reviews (32%) and local weather (31%) being next most influential. UK adult consumers under 35 are most likely to be influenced by social media, with 39% saying it impacts their holiday choices.

Dave Edwards, Vice President, American Express, said: “We know, for our Card Members, that travel is an important part of their summer plans. Whether it’s an international trip or a domestic break, Brits are looking forward to their summer holidays. Holidays to international beach destinations, or popular UK city and country escapes, are just some of the ways we’ll be getting away this summer, with Amex® Card Members able to earn and use rewards to take them further.”

Amex Card Members looking to book flights or hotel stays can do so through Amex Travel. Eligible Card Members are able to spend or earn Membership Rewards® points on flights and pre-paid hotel bookings, as well as access special benefits to elevate their stay through The Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels + Resorts programmes. Terms apply.

Example product: American Express® Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card. Rep. 88.8% APR var. 18+. Terms apply. Subject to status.

NOTES TO EDITORS

¹Research was conducted by Opinium. Sample was of 2,000 UK adults (18+). Results were weighted to be nationally representative. Fieldwork took place 02-05 July 2024.

Collins Dictionary describes ‘staycations’ as ‘a holiday that you spend in your own home or your own country, relaxing and enjoying leisure activities there.’