Are Holidays Now an Essential Expense for People in the UK?

Let’s be honest—if you ask the average Brit whether they could go without their annual holiday, they’d probably look at you like you just suggested tea should be served cold 😱 (Blasphemy!) But in a world where everything from energy bills, the weekly shopping through to a cheeky takeaway, costs more than ever, the question remains: Are holidays now an essential outgoing, or just a luxury we refuse to give up?🤷

The Great British Getaway – More Than Just a Treat?

Once upon a time, a holiday was a luxury—a rare treat for those who could afford it. As a kid our holiday was dad taking a week off work and us doing ’days out’ usually to the beach or a stately home (a barrel of laughs eh!) and when we were flush, we’d go caravaning to Devon or the Isle of Wight if we were being exotic. I didn’t go abroad on holiday until I was 21.

Now? While I couldn’t find any specific data on the exact percentage of UK households that consider an annual holiday abroad as essential, recent surveys do indicate a strong desire among Brits to travel overseas. An ATOL survey revealed that 56% of respondee UK adults, planned to take an overseas summer holiday in 2024, with 51% intending to travel abroad more than once during the year* which suggests we are still prioritising international travel and potentially seeing it as an essential part of our yearly plans. It does seems like booking a trip abroad is as much a part of life as paying council tax or doing the weekly big shop for many.

With social media flooded with envy-inducing holiday snaps, the pressure to get away from it all has never been stronger. But is this because we need holidays, or because we’ve convinced ourselves that we do?

The Mental Health Factor

One of the biggest arguments for why holidays have become a necessity is their impact on mental health and wellbeing. Let’s face it, life in the UK can be stressful—whether it’s work pressures, family challenges, the unpredictable weather, or trying to figure out why your WiFi never works when you actually need it.

Getting away, even for a few days, offers a much-needed reset. Studies show that time off reduces stress, improves mood, and can even boost productivity when you return and of course it provides a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with family or friends. So, if holidays genuinely help us function better in daily life, does that make them essential?

The Cost of Escaping the UK

Now, here’s the kicker: the cost of travel has skyrocketed. With inflation squeezing wallets, people are having to make tough choices about their spending. But, rather than skipping the annual trip, it appears many Brits are cutting back elsewhere—fewer nights out, cheaper meals, or even taking on extra work—all in the name of securing that holiday (or even holidays) abroad.

In fact, a recent survey by EasyJet showed that despite rising travel and household costs, UK holidaymakers are prioritising travel over other non-essential spending. 77% of participants intended to prioritise holiday spending over other budget areas in 2024, an increase from 70% the previous year. Moreover, 70% were more likely to save specifically for holidays compared to the previous year, and 73% planned to maintain or increase their holiday expenditure, often at the expense of other things – going out less, spending less on clothing, opting for the fakeaway rather than the takeaway - That says a lot, doesn’t it?

The role of the ‘Staycation’

Of course, not everyone can justify splashing out on flights to the Maldives. That’s where the good old ‘back to my childhood’ staycation or even ‘days out’ comes in. Whether it’s a weekend in Cornwall, a city break in Edinburgh, or even just a spa day close to home, people are finding ways to get that much-needed break without breaking the bank. However, I know this leads to the question ‘Does a staycation really feel like a proper holiday?’ followed swifty by ‘Are staycations any better value?’ And if you’re still dodging the crazy British weather, battling the costs of eating and drinking out, not to mention eyewatering accommodation costs and trying to find a car park that doesn’t cost a fortune, it very often doesn’t hit the same buttons as a sun-soaked escape or taste of new cultural adventures.

So, Are Holidays Essential?

It’s always going to be subjective and depend on how you define ‘essential’ and of course there’s a whole social/class divide and economic angle I’m not even opening up into the argument, so there’s a lot of ‘first world’ thinking behind the question - Do we need holidays to survive? Obviously the answer is No! But do they help us recharge, reconnect, and break up the daily grind? Absolutely. And if something is prioritised even when money is tight, surely that suggests it is being seen a modern-day necessity?

Whether it’s a two-week beach holiday or a simple weekend away, one thing is clear: for many Brits, taking a break isn’t just a luxury anymore—it’s a non-negotiable.

So, what do you think? Is a holiday an essential part of life for you?

Stats courtesy of The Standard, EasyJet, ATOL