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Brits hungry for Christmas break abroad

[December 15th 2008]

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A new survey shows that despite the recession Brits are still keen to travel abroad for the Christmas holiday.

In the survey by Kayak.co.uk, the world’s largest travel search engine, almost half (43%) of those surveyed said they are escaping the winter blues by jetting away for a Christmas break.

The survey also discovered what is likely to be the busiest day for travel on the roads this Christmas season. The majority of respondents to the survey (63%) said they will be making the most of the holiday season by setting off for their festive break on Monday December 22nd.

Kayak.co.uk predicts that the M25 motorway will be gridlocked this Christmas as more than half (55.6%) of those surveyed said they plan to travel by car. The travel search engine also predicts that Heathrow and Gatwick airports will be busy, but concedes perhaps not as busy as in previous years.

Almost a third of people questioned said they will only have to travel between one and three hours to reach their destination, giving them more time to spend with loved ones.

The survey showed that Christmas is still very much a time for family and friends. Close to a half (41.7%) of respondents said they plan to visit loved ones during the Christmas period.

But Kayak.co.uk also found that “Christmas can still be a good excuse for a sneaky romantic rendezvous”. Over a quarter (28%) of those questioned will be escaping the holiday hustle and bustle for a romantic getaway with a “significant other”.

The favourite destinations for a Christmas getaway were also revealed by the survey. Topping the list is that favourite city break and shopping destination New York with 37.6% of the vote.

The Christmas weather in New York may well be cold and snowy, but visitors to the next most popular Christmas holiday destination should have no such problems. Just over a third (33.6%) voted the sun-drenched Caribbean their favourite Christmas break destination.

Other favoured destinations for a Christmas away included the skiing holiday playground of The Alps (20.8%), the movie and entertainment capital of the world Los Angeles (4.7%), and the place most people think of when they plan a romantic break, Paris (3.4%).

Written by: Nick Purdom

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