73% of those going on a holiday this winter will opt for a winter sun destination(1)
Compared to only 10% that will go on a winter sports holiday(1)
The Canaries are the most popular winter sun destination this year, with 18% of winter sun seekers planning to go there, according to new research(1) from Sainsbury’s Bank Travel Money. The findings also reveal that holidays there are on average the cheapest of the most popular winter sun destinations(2).
After the Canaries, the Caribbean is the most popular winter sun destination, with 8% heading there; 6% will go to Dubai and 5% will head to Australia(1). One in five (21%) are still undecided where they will go.
The supermarket bank’s research also highlights that the best winter sun bargains can be found earlier in the season and underlines the importance of shopping around for the best holiday deal you can find. A comparison of prices for the same holiday during early December against the week after Christmas reveals that prices can increase by as much as 150%.
Of those people seeking winter sun this year, over two thirds (70%) plan to go away after New Year, compared to one in five (20%) who will travel over the Christmas and New Year period and just 16% who will head to a winter sun destination before Christmas.
James Carter of Sainsbury’s Travel Money, said: “Winter holidays in the sun are really popular, but just as currencies fluctuate from country to country, the price of a holiday can vary depending on when you book or plan to travel. It’s worthwhile shopping around for the best deal and considering if you can be flexible about when you travel.”
The supermarket bank obtained the prices of a range of holidays online departing on December 1st and compared them to the same holidays departing on December 26th. It found that the average price per person to the Maldives was two-and-a-half-times higher in late December, a 150% premium. Trips to the Canaries carried an average premium of 147%, trips to Thailand were hiked up by 137%, and breaks to Australia were double the early December prices(2).
Sainsbury’s Bank Travel Money provides customers with the option of ordering foreign currency online, over the phone or in-store at one of the bank’s 138 bureaux at selected Sainsbury’s stores across the UK. Customers also have the convenience of ordering currency online or over the phone and collecting it in-store or having it delivered directly to their home. Charges may apply when selecting home delivery, see sainsburysbank.co.uk for full details. Cash Passport™ pre-paid MasterCard® currency cards can be ordered online and in-store(3).
Biggest holiday hikes between early December and late December(2)
Destination
Average price per person departing 1st December
Average price per person departing 26th December
Price hike
Maldives
£1,350.40
£3,376.80
+150%
Canaries
£504.90
£1,249.40
+147%
Thailand
£767.40
£1,821.60
+137%
Australia
£1,239.10
£2,472.20
+100%
Dubai
£932.20
£1,859.70
+99%
Most popular winter sun destinations winter 2013/14(1)
Winter sun destination
Percentage of those intending to take a winter sun holiday who will go here
The Canaries
18%
The Caribbean
8%
Dubai
6%
Australia
5%
Thailand
3%
Mexico
3%
Miami
3%
New Zealand
3%
South Africa
2%
The Maldives
1%
Other
27%
Undecided
21%
For further information, please call 0845 366 1151, or visit www.sainsburysbank.co.uk
ENDs
For further information, please contact:
Tom Wilson / Amrit Nijjer Lorna Gilmour
Citigate Dewe Rogerson Sainsbury’s Bank
020 7282 2842 / 0207 282 2803 0131 338 2863
Notes to editors:
(1) ICM Research interviewed a random sample of 2,003 adults aged 18+ online between 22nd – 24th November 2013. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Further information at www.icmresearch.co.uk
(2) Online research conducted by Sainsbury’s Bank using www.expedia.co.uk carried out November 18th-22nd 2013. Research comprised of analysing the price of the most popular holidays departing from London airports on 1st December 2013, and the same holidays departing from London airports on 26th December 26th 2013, for one week. For each of the nine destinations examined and each time period 10 holidays were examined and the average taken.
(3) Delivery charges apply: £4.75 on minimum orders of £100-£299.99; £2.35 on orders of £300-£499; and free delivery on orders of £500 or more. A £1.99 administration fee applies to all online orders under £100 for collection in store. See www.Sainsburysbank.co.uk/travelmoney for full details and terms and conditions.
Sainsbury’s Bank:
To view our latest press releases and product information, please visit the Sainsbury’s Bank online media centre at www.sainsburysbank.co.uk/media
Sainsbury’s was the first major British supermarket to open a bank, commencing trading in February 1997. Benefiting from a fantastic, trusted brand that enables us to combine the shopping experience with personal finance, Sainsbury’s Bank provides a range of quality products including insurances, credit cards, savings and loans. Our proposition is to make shopping more rewarding by offering customers great products at fair prices, while consistently rewarding shoppers for their loyalty and being easy to do business with at all times. Our products consistently top best buy tables and regularly win awards for quality, price and service.
This year, the Bank has been awarded ‘Personal Loan Provider of the Year’ – Consumer Moneyfacts, ‘Best Loan Provider’ – Money Supermarket Supers and ‘Best Credit Card for Rewards’ – Moneynet.
Sainsbury’s Bank has its own banking licence, is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (register no. 184514), except for Credit Cards and Loans where it is licensed by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) license no. 421897. The Bank has an independent membership to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
About Travelex:
Travel Money online and instore is provided by Travelex Agency Services Limited, registered number 4621879. Sainsbury’s Travel Money ordered by telephone is provided by Travelex Currency Services Limited, registered number 03797356. Registered office for both companies: 65 Kingsway, London WC2B 6TD.
Cash Passport: Cash Passport™ is issued by R. Raphael & Sons plc, pursuant to license by MasterCard International. MasterCard and the MasterCard Brand Mark are registered trademarks of MasterCard International Incorporated. www.cashpassport.com
Founded in 1976, Travelex is the world’s leading foreign exchange specialist. We serve our customers online and through our network of over 1,350 stores and 1,200 ATMs across 26 countries, at key airport, seaport, rail and tourist locations. Travelex provides cash and pre-paid cards to over 37 million retail customers each year. Over 40% of the world’s travellers – 1.7 billion passengers a year – pass through airports where Travelex operates including major gateways at Amsterdam , Beijing, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Mumbai, New York, Paris, Sydney & Tokyo. Every hour, Travelex provides foreign currency to more than 2,000 customers.
See more at: www.travelex.co.uk