Overseas holiday imp. to mental health of 96% of Brits

Travel Biz News–

Taking an overseas holiday is important to the mental health of 96 per cent of Britons, with almost two thirds (63 per cent ) feeling it is extremely important,according to a new survey by Medical Travel Compared, the travel insurance comparison site specifically for those with pre-existing medical conditions.

The survey results highlight the importance and true value to our mental health and physical wellbeing that taking a holiday brings.

Over two thirds (68%) of the 2,326 UK-based respondents surveyed said their mental health and wellbeing has been impacted negatively due to not being able to take a holiday over the past couple of years, with 87% planning an overseas holiday this year to rectify the negativity of the past two years.

Almost one in three (29%) say they feel like they haven’t truly been able to relax without taking a proper holiday. A fifth (19%), state that they feel a lot more stressed because of not being able to have a holiday, with the same amount agreeing they feel like they haven’t been able to escape reality, all of which is having a negative impact on their mental health and wellbeing.

Before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, almost half (42%) of those surveyed went away on average twice a year overseas, with over a third (38%) taking three or more holidays per year.

Since March 2020, over half of those surveyed (57%) have not been on any overseas holidays. Just 12% went away twice – a huge drop compared to pre-pandemic (above 42% went away twice a year)

Of those who attempted to take a break, 70% had an overseas holiday cancelled or cancelled one themselves due to the pandemic and 27% of those had had three or more holidays cancelled.

The number one driver for Brits booking a holiday is for relaxation purposes, with 65% of people saying that this was the main reason for travel. This was followed by spending quality time with loved ones (45%), the joy of travel (40%), exploring new destinations (30%), and over a quarter stating for mental health (27%).

Looking to the future, COVID-19 is still the biggest concern in people’s minds when it comes to overseas travel in 2022 (57%) followed by the rising cost-of-living (48%) and global conflicts (42%).

Almost a third (31%) say that these events have had no effect on their willingness to book a holiday this year, with 68% saying they are unlikely to prevent them going on holiday.-(Inputs from Medical Travel Compared, UK)

April 27 , 2022

Photo : Sightings around Hustyns Resort in Cornwall, south west England ( Gyan Rai)