New research from Leger Holidays has revealed that one in eight Brits (12%) has turned down a holiday in fear of what others might think, and 47% automatically discount a certain type of holiday because of the stigma attached.
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Those holidays most likely to be dismissed without due consideration were revealed to be 18-30s holidays (22%), coach holidays (13%), cruises (12%), holiday parks (11%) and single traveller holidays (9%). The research, which polled 1,000 holidaymakers, also found that one in four people lie about their holiday, because they are afraid others will judge them on it.
Even though they had the holiday they wanted, 25% of people admit to embellishing or playing down elements of their trip in case it reflects badly on them, with more than half of people saying they believe a holiday choice reflects on how interesting, cultured or affluent people are. Results also revealed that 61% of people who go on cruises are far more likely to lie about their break than other types of holidaymakers. ?
People most commonly exaggerate details of accommodation, travel or the amount of sunshine they?ve enjoyed. In order to make the weather look better than it was, one in eight people (12%) even admit to using fake tan before they return home.
The operator's head of retail sales Ashley Dellow said: ?Our research makes it clear that agents might have a big job on their hands trying to convince people to try a new type of holiday! It?s a shame that holidaymakers are worrying so much about what others might think that they?re actually turning down opportunities to try new travel experiences. It seems to be a combination of fear of what others might say and fear about whether they?ll like a different kind of holiday, with a third of people admitting they?re scared to try something new in case they don?t like it. You?ll never know unless you try, and often the misconceptions are totally out of line with the reality. We know from experience that people can sometimes have very preconceived ideas about escorted coach tours, but actually when they come and try it for themselves, they?re amazed at the places they see, the experiences they have and the comfort and ease of it all.?
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