Ireland may have be back in recession but it seems we are spending more on our holidays. A new survey shows that Irish people have increased their summer holiday budget this year by around €350 per person.
That is a 58% increase from 2012.
Based on a YouGov survey the average expenditure for a summer holiday this year is €950 per person which is a significant climb from the €600 allocated for holidays in 2012.
This covers journey costs and accommodation and suggests that despite budgets being tight Irish people still place a high value on their summer break.
However the lastminute.com study also shows that we are staying thrifty with 32% of us looking to go on holiday after the high-peak season.
The figures also show that in order to make their holiday money travel further we have adopted a trend of booking last minute bargains. Of the 39% who have organised their annual summer getaway, 20% made their booking as recently as May or June.
The survey of 6 European countries shows Ireland in 4th position for summer holiday spending stakes:
- Italians (€1,082)
- British (€1,022)
- Germans (€1,110)
- Irish (€950)
- Spanish (€930)
- French (€865)
Mark Maddock is Managing Director of lastminute.com UK and Ireland. "With 61% of the Irish not having booked yet, we expect to see a marked increase this year. Keeping an open mind as to where you want to go and being flexible with timing will make booking late a very worthwhile exercise" he said.
The most popular destinations for lastminute.com Irish holidaymakers are the Canaries and France.
