People see the lasting green benefits of holiday spending cutbacks

For many Brits, being budget-friendly and sustainable on holiday can be a two-for-one deal, according to new research. New InsureandGo data reveals that 91% of Brits adapted to the cost of living crisis in recent years by looking at practical ways to prune holiday costs. Now as Brits face another summer holiday season, 86% of people have resolved to keep to their money saving initiatives because they also regard them to be good for the planet.

Following a period when many believed the immediate hardships of the cost-of-living crisis would result in climate change action taking a back seat[1] – the new study from InsureandGo suggests the opposite to be true. With regard to holiday planning, the research explored the relationship between people’s attitudes to climate change and the legacy from the cost-of-living crisis – and the findings suggest that both can be tackled at once.

The new research explored which enforced cost-of-living cutbacks to holiday planning people are sticking with this year because they also see it to be good for the planet.

The top 10 win-win holiday initiatives include:
1. Use last year’s summer clothes rather than buying new ones – 39%
2. Stay in the UK for holidays – 30%
3. Reduce the amount of bags we take – 28%
4. Take refillable cups, mugs and toiletry bottles 25%
5. Eating local produce and drinks when in resort -26%
6. Using public transport rather than a car or taxi in resort -23%
7. Go self-catering and use local shops -22%
8. Avoid premium class and needless luxuries – 22%
9. Using public transport rather than a car or taxi to get to/from the airport – 19%
10. Buying second hand summer clothes -18%

The seriousness people attach to being climate-conscious on holiday is, for many, a direct response of what people have experienced on summer holiday in recent years. Based on successive summers of soaring temperatures across southern Europe, four in five British holidaymakers (80%) think some European holiday hotspots will be too hot to visit within the next five years. Further, 78% of UK holidaymakers say they have experienced the effects of climate change and pollution on holiday – up from 78% in summer 2022 to 85% this summer. Hotter temperatures, beach litter and poor air quality are the most commonly cited factors.

Garry Nelson, Head of Corporate Affairs at InsureandGo commented: “It may well be that the cost-of-living crisis has accidentally had an enduring, positive impact on sustainable travel. The economic pressures of recent years hit many people hard and this played out in some people having to make big cutbacks on holiday spending so a family break would still be viable. Whilst some things, like getting good insurance cover, is important for peace of mind on holiday, there are many discretionary things people can do to save money that also benefit the planet.

“It’s now two years from the onset of the cost-of-living crisis and many of these savvy initiatives are being maintained because people see there are meaningful benefits to their holiday being more sustainable. Our latest data suggests 18% of British holidaymakers now say that sustainability is toward the top of their agenda, with a further 52% telling us they are taking small, easy but practical steps – with sustainability an active consideration in their holiday decisions. If we all take small, sensible steps in our holiday planning, a big difference can be made to help tackle climate change – meaning we can all set off without the doubt.”