French Travel News-2010/2011 | 13.4 million will book a holiday before March, study shows

Friday, January, 07th at 15.52 by Deborah Bates

A study has shown that 13.4 million Brits intend on booking a holiday for this year by the beginning of March, a 50 per cent increase on the figures published this time last year.

The research, undertaken by Sainsbury's, showed that the average spend on holidays per person is likely to be around £826. This shows a decline of one per cent from last year's predicted spend, according to Caterer.com.

A spokesperson for Sainsbury's, Scott Gorman, believes that the UK's general public are "fed up with the winter snow and travel delays or cancellations they had to endure in 2010. This may lead to a significant increase in people intending to book a holiday to give them something to look forward to the in New Year."

The recent cold snap and snowy weather may prompt holiday-goers to head somewhere boasting sunny beaches and high temperatures; perhaps considering options such as French holidays as their vacation for 2011.

However the study also showed worrying travel insurance figures, with around one-fifth of those intending to book a holiday doing so without obtaining adequate insurance for their trip. Gorman said this was a "huge concern," as holidaymakers who are involved in an accident of any kind whilst abroad could be liable for substantial legal or medial bills.

Law firm P J Hayman & Company are worried that many Brits will forego holiday insurance due to the VAT rise, says the Post Online. Director for the firm, Peter Hayman, said: "There is a danger that this increase in travel insurance premiums will deter travellers from purchasing essential cover."