Travel Insurance Essential As Brits Go Further Afield

An increasing number of Britons are aspiring to travel further afield than Europe this year, seeking adventure and sun that’s off the beaten track, according to research from CarterAllen Private Allen.

More than a quarter of Brits want to go travel outside the realms of Europe in order to find somewhere unusual that is not populated with Brits abroad, while 20 per cent set their sights outside Europe because they’re looking for adventure.

In total, 63 per cent of Britons said that they intend to travel outside Europe in 2008, a break from the norm of them traditionally holidaying on the continent, which has nine out of the 10 top overseas holiday destinations.

Briton’s ambitious travellers are now looking to other continents to get their kicks, such as North America, Australasia, South America, Africa, and Asia, where the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) doesn’t work, making travel insurance more important than ever.

Almost a quarter of Brits will be setting off to the mountains for a skiing holiday this winter, 10 per cent will be going on safari, 11 per cent will explore the rainforest and 10 per cent will be going on activity holidays, such as diving.

Seeking out local culture and escaping other holidaymakers is motivation for the 69 per cent of Brits that want to go somewhere off the beaten track, admitting to wanting to avoid crowds of tourists, while half want to visit unspoiled areas rather than ‘tourist hotspots’.

Six per cent of bragging Brits admitted they were planning a trip somewhere so that they could be the only person they know to have travelled to that destination.

“This research shows that Britons are moving away from traditional holidays and becoming aspirational in their holiday choices.” remarked Sally Ann Watts, head of marketing at Cater Allen.

Travel company Tui have certainly found that the credit crunch has not deterred everyone from going abroad this year, announcing a 39 per cent rise in profits on last year’s figures for the three months leading to June.

Meanwhile, those who are being hit where it hurts by the credit crunch, or want to do their bit to combat climate change, are opting to stay in the UK for their summer holiday, with the Prime Minister being just one of them.

However, just because they’re staying in the UK doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t take out travel insurance, urges GoTravelInsurance.co.uk.

Holidaymakers may feel that insurance is unnecessary for UK breaks – due to the provision of healthcare on the NHS, said Go Travel Insurance, but protection against theft, lost baggage and holiday cancellation is still essential.

© Fair Investment Company Ltd