- 81% of Brits unchanged on Europe travel plans
- More than half of holidaying Brits still bound for Europe this summer
One year on from the Brexit referendum, new figures show that despite our upcoming departure from the EU, Brits are still departing to Europe on holiday undeterred by the economic fluctuations of the past twelve months.
In fact, 62% say the referendum result has not put them off travelling abroad at all, while 72% say they have not been conscious of having to minimise costs since the referendum, contrary to the public perception that the weakened pound has cast 2017 as the year of the ‘staycation’.
The figures, published today by ferry operator DFDS*, also highlight that a quarter of Brits do not intend to change their tried-and-tested methods to save money when booking a holiday abroad this summer, despite a third stating their holiday has increased in price compared to previous years.
That said, there are still some concerns surrounding particular elements of travelling to Europe post-Brexit, where there is a distinct difference of opinion between those who voted to leave the EU and those who voted to remain.
When matched against voting lines from the referendum, the results show:
- Prior to the EU referendum being affirmed, 62% of ‘remainers’ were concerned about the negative impact leaving the EU would have on the costs for their holiday
- Nearly two in five (38%) leavers believed it would not have an impact – and still feel this is the case
- With Brexit imminent, 43% of remainers now worry about how much exchange rates will affect their holiday, compared to 20% of leavers
- Almost three in ten (29%) remainers fear their journey times will be extended by having to go through new border controls without an EU passport compared to 11% of leavers
- 34% of remainers worry about how accessible healthcare in the EU will become – a worry only affecting half of those (17%) who voted leave
- Three in ten remainers admit they worry about having to obtain a visa to travel to European countries going forwards compared to that of just one in ten leavers.
Despite this, voters agreed on their willingness to pay for a visa when travelling to European countries if the cost were less than £10 with 61% of remainers and 65% of leavers in agreement.
Max Foster, Passenger Director at DFDS said “While there will inevitably be some trepidation from travellers considering a holiday to Europe this summer, it is encouraging to see Brits are determined not to let this directly affect their holiday plans.
“Travelling to Europe needn’t be a huge expense and there are numerous ways Brits can keep costs down, such as looking at alternative ways to get there.
“In 2016 we carried more than 3.5 million passengers on our Dover to France ferries alone and a further 584,000 passengers and 121,000 cars on our Newcastle to Amsterdam route, proving ferry travel is a popular method for reaching the Continent.”
DFDS offers 54 sailings a day on its Dover to France routes to Calais and Dunkirk and a daily overnight service from Newcastle to Holland. With prices starting from £39 each way for a car and nine people to France and £45 per person each way for a car and four passengers to Holland, travel to Continental Europe has never been more affordable.
For more information or to book your summer trip visit www.dfds.co.uk.
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*Survey conducted by OnePoll of 2000 adult respondents with national representation
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About DFDS
DFDS is Northern Europe’s largest integrated shipping and logistics company, with a network of around 30 routes and 50 freight and passenger ships.
DFDS prides itself on offering world-class facilities and services and the widest choice of ferry routes into northern Europe.
In the UK, the company operates passenger ferry services on routes from Dover to Calais, Dover to Dunkirk, Newcastle to Amsterdam and Newhaven to Dieppe.
DFDS has been named the ‘World’s Leading Ferry Operator’ for the last five years (2011-15), as well as ‘Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator’ at the prestigious 2014 and 2015 World Travel Awards.
DFDS currently operates up to 54 sailings a day between Dover and France on its Dover-Dunkirk and Dover-Calais routes. DFDS also offers two daily sailings between Newcastle and Amsterdam. In addition, the DFDS network includes a passenger and freight service between Newhaven to Dieppe, which has four daily sailings and is operated by Transmanche Ferries.
For further information about DFDS, or to find out about the latest sailing times, fares and offers across all routes from the UK, visit www.dfds.co.uk.
