2.4 million Brits jingle all the way to the beach this Christmas
Direct Line estimates over 29,000 of these holidaymakers will be victims of lost luggage
2.4 million Brits will be celebrating Christmas abroad this year, choosing to escape the UK for the festive season*.
Three quarters (74 per cent) of these holidaymakers will be travelling abroad for a week or more over the Christmas period, with two in five (39 per cent) doing so to spend the festive season with family and friends. A further one in ten are escaping the cold climes of the UK purely to get some winter sun, reveals the research by Direct Line travel insurance.
However, 83% of these travellers will fly to their Christmas holiday destinations – placing their packed Christmas presents and belongings at the mercy of the British Airports Authority baggage handlers.
Unfortunately, statistics show that for 29,880** of these holiday makers, the worst will happen and their suitcase and its contents will go missing, particularly with one of the busiest seasons for airports in full swing.
This year’s busiest day is expected to be Saturday 29th December, with travellers passing through airports on their way to and from Christmas breaks abroad. Last year 110,000 passengers passed through Gatwick airport on the Saturday between Christmas and New Year’s Eve alone***.
Chris Price, Head of Direct Line Travel Insurance, said: “With increased security measures resulting in restrictions on hand luggage and more and more luggage placed in the hold, holidaymakers have no option but to trust the baggage handlers and the airlines to protect their Christmas presents.”
Chris continues, “With so many suitcases going missing each year, travellers should take extra precautions to protect their belongings and avoid any potential disappointment by ensuring that they have adequate travel insurance if the worst happens.”
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For further information, please contact:
RBS Insurance Press Office
Tel: 0208 285 3277
Notes to Editors:
*The research was carried out on behalf of Direct Line travel insurance by YouGov. A nationally representative sample of 2066 UK adults were questioned online between 12th to 15th November 2007. Results are weighted to be representative of the UK adult population. YouGov is a member of the British Polling Council.
5 per cent of 48 million UK adults who celebrate Christmas (Source: ONS) is 2.4. million adults
**Across the 24 largest airlines, more than 5.6 million bags went missing in 2006. This is an average of 15.7 bags per 1,000 travellers. (Source: UK Air Transport Users Report, July 2007). 15.7 per 1000 travellers out of 1,991,999 (83% of 2.4 million) travellers is 29,880
***BAA passenger figures for Gatwick Airport’s busiest day during Christmas 2006
Related travel features:
Staying secure abroad – simple tips on how to avoid crime on holiday
Camera insurance – read more about the types of photographic equipment covered by Direct Line travel insurance
Cheap travel insurance – how to find the best deal to suit your needs and compare the cost of insurance with the potential costs of theft or damage to your possessions while on holiday
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