A third of holidaymakers “will try to make their holidays cheaper in 2023”

According to a survey, half of people plan to cut the cost of their holidays or go without travel altogether this year.

Just over a third (34%) of holidaymakers plan to take steps to make their holiday cheaper, while a further 16% will leave without taking a holiday, according to insurer Aviva.

Among those planning to save money on their travels, the most common tactics are taking breaks in the UK rather than going abroad (28%) and traveling out of peak season (26% ).

Others plan to shorten the length of their vacation (25%), eat away from tourist attractions (13%) and find a lesser-known destination (13%).

A fifth (20%) of those considering saving money said they would book well in advance to get a good deal, while the same proportion (20%) said they would wait last minute deals and offers.

One in five (20%) are looking to scale back their vacation plan to set a spending limit for their getaway.

One in 14 (7%) thrifty holidaymakers plan to cut spending by not buying travel insurance.

However, this could expose them to thousands of pounds in bills if anything goes wrong.

Travel insurance can also act as a financial safety net if someone finds themselves unable to go on a vacation they have booked.

Policy terms and conditions vary, so it’s important to check the fine print.

Kelly Whittington, Specialist Claims Manager at Aviva UK, said: “Holidaymakers have some great ideas on how to save, whether it’s setting a spending limit or finding last-minute deals. .

“However, it is worrying that a small number of people would consider not taking out travel insurance, as unfortunately the unexpected can and does happen.

“It can mean anything from requiring medical attention abroad, losing luggage or having a passport stolen abroad.

“As a result, holidaymakers could face unforeseen costs of hundreds, thousands of pounds – even five or six figure sums in some cases – particularly in relation to medical bills.

“We also urge people to take out travel insurance as soon as they book their stay in case an unforeseen incident forces them to cancel.

“The vast majority of vacations go off without a hitch, but travel insurance can provide valuable peace of mind, just in case.”

Over 4,000 people were surveyed across the UK by Censuswide in January 2023, for Aviva.

Vacation booking website Airbnb and online safety experts Get Safe Online recently urged people looking to cut costs to beware of vacation scams.

Holiday scammers can trick people into paying by bank transfer using fake but convincing holiday advertisements as well as via bogus websites and phone calls.

People may also want to check if the company concerned is a member of the professional association Abta (Association of British Travel Agents).

Holidaymakers taking flights should check for coverage under the Atol Financial Protection Scheme (Air Tour Operator’s License).

A spokesperson for the Association of British Insurers (ABI) said: ‘Travel insurance provides vital protection and peace of mind when holidaying abroad.

“We understand the pressures the cost of living is putting on many UK households, but traveling without insurance can be a false economy and risk facing costs that can be exorbitant if you need emergency medical treatment at the stranger.

“There are many travel insurers to choose from and it is important to ensure that you take out the policy that best suits your needs. It is really important to answer all questions, especially about pre-existing medical conditions, completely and honestly to ensure that your coverage is valid.

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