13/08/2008

Fuel prices fail to dent holidaymakers love of four wheels

Despite record petrol prices, soaring car tax and rising congestion, British holidaymakers are rejecting planes and trains in favour of their cars for this year’s summer getaway

A study by Norwich Union, asked 2,000 holidaymakers to list their preferred mode of transport this summer. Nearly three quarters (71%) voted travelling by air as the most stressful way to get away, while 69% said trains were a pain. But 41% said travelling by car would be their favoured option.

With memories of Heathrow Terminal 5 fresh in many minds and endless engineering work on the railways, delays, queues, expensive tickets and overcrowding were the biggest turn off for trains and planes.

In comparison 62% of those questioned listed beautiful scenery as the main benefit of car travel, followed by being in control of their own destination (50%) and the lure of the open road (44%).

Add to that the fact that the credit crunch means 75% of Brits are planning to holiday in the UK this year and it would seem that the road trip is enjoying something of a revival.

David Tyers, director of marketing at Norwich Union, said: “Our research shows that while the daily drive to work may be a drag, there is still some ‘Highway Happiness’ out there. Motorists are still happy to hit the open road and the great family road trip remains as popular as ever.”

(Norwich Union)


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