Contrary to recent reports, Britons haven’t yet fallen out of love with the
traditional package holiday, according to new research from the Jamaica
Tourist Board.
Despite the growing popularity and ease with which would-be holidaymakers can create their own bespoke breaks on-line, the findings show more than one in two (58%) Brits continue to opt for a traditional package holiday (an increase from 56% in October 2004). In addition, their hassle-free nature makes package deals a firm favourite amongst couples with children.

As many as 59 per cent will go on an all-inclusive package deal in 2005, compared with just 38 per cent of Britons that will take their children on a DIY break.

Furthermore, the findings also show a marginal decline in the number of DIY breaks. More than a third of British holidaymakers (38%) are happy to ‘go it alone’, a slight decline since October 2004 (41%).

In the fourth quarterly report from the Jamaica Tourist Board, the survey
examines the trends of UK long haul travellers, revealing the nature of
their holidays abroad:

Key findings

      *      Package holidays remain popular amongst the younger
generation, as many as 61 per cent (61%) of twenty-something’s will opt for an all-inclusive deal.

      *      Unsurprisingly, it is the older generation (60+) that will
look to create their own bespoke break. Nearly one in two (45%) would rather travel independently.

      *      Up from last quarter, as many as 42 per cent of women prefer to travel independently (40% in October 2004), compared to 34 per cent of men who prefer an all-inclusive deal.

      *      Package holidays are a firm favourite with more than two in
three (68%) single Brits.

Around the regions

      *      More than three quarters (78%) of Scottish holidaymakers
will opt for an all-inclusive deal in 2005, closely followed by 75 per cent
of residents from Yorkshire.

      *      Londoners show the greatest sense of adventure, more than
one in two (59%) will organise a DIY holiday in 2005, compared with 55 per cent in the West Midlands.

      *      Other than the Scots (19%), the Welsh were amongst the most unlikely to organise a DIY break - less than a third (30%) will travel
independently this year.

Elizabeth Fox, spokesperson for the Jamaica Tourist Board, commented:
“Despite the growing popularity of independent travel amongst adventurous holidaymakers, the traditional package holiday should remain a firm favourite for some time yet, especially as traditional providers are now making additions to the services they offer. With such a diverse and interesting selection of accommodation on the island, Jamaica is the perfect destination for those people who enjoy a self-made experience or simply want to lounge in one of our 5-star resorts.”

The Jamaica Tourist Board asked a GB representative sample of 2,000 people in January 2005 how they would classify the majority of their foreign travel.
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