A new survey – the Bank of Ireland Travel Truths Survey – has found that Irish tourists travelling abroad still love our home comforts, with 33% saying they were mostly concerned about making room for their favourite tea and coffee brand.
The survey has found that there is no place like home, with 7 in 10 respondents admitting they missed their own bed most when abroad.
And, while 57% said they missed family members when they were away, Irish people are more eager to see their pets than their friends with 37% saying they missed their furry companions the most.
When it comes to choosing a holiday destination, the survey revealed that majority of Irish people classified themselves as either ‘culture vultures’ or ‘outdoorsy’ tourists looking for destinations with a rich cultural heritage and an array of outdoor activities.
Perhaps as a result of the often wet and windy weather at home, 20% of respondents said they were looking forward to relaxing in the sunshine this year and classified themselves as ‘sun worshippers’.
Only 3% said they were ‘clubbers’ who were looking for a destination with an exciting nightlife.
But travelling abroad for culture, clubs, sun, sea and sand doesn’t come without some negatives.
Unsurprisingly, the majority of Irish people (29%) said the single worst part of travelling was flight delays, accommodation not living up to expectations (13%), and lost luggage (12%) also cited as annoyances.
Eamon Slevin, Managing Director of Bank of Ireland Insurance Services, has urged holiday makers to remember the importance of travel insurance:
“Checking your travel insurance should be an essential part of your holiday preparation. One of the most convenient options for customers is annual multi-trip insurance which covers you for all your travel for the year.
Bank of Ireland offers a range of travel insurance products, available in a few clicks through our website, including comprehensive medical benefits in addition to cover for flights and luggage.
“Travel insurance can prevent a dream holiday turning into a nightmare. We always recommend that customers take out travel insurance as soon as they book and pay for either their flights or accommodation, and customers can opt for different levels of cover – gold, silver and bronze – depending on what they need (and how many tea bags they decide to pack!).”
