Death of the two week holiday

The two week holiday is dying out, according to a new survey revealed today by Holiday Inn.

Families across Britain are struggling to find the time or money to go away with their loved ones, and a whopping 52 per cent of families definitely WON'T be going on a two week summer holiday this year, citing cost as the main problem. But shorter breaks of three or four days are becoming more popular for couples who juggle work and family life.

The average family now takes approximately four short breaks a year - feeling that a long weekend every three months stops them from getting too stressed with everyday life. And with the average spend being just £349.11 for a weekend away, that's only £1,396.44 to keep the whole family entertained for a year.

The poll of 5,000 people was conducted by Holiday Inn - it revealed that 24 per cent can't go away during school breaks as holidays are more expensive than any other time of the year.

Another 24 per cent simply can't afford to pay for holidays which last longer than a few days, whatever the date.

One in five people can't get enough time off work for a holiday - whilst one in 10 couples can't take time off work on the same dates.

A staggering 72 per cent of folk now believe that shorter breaks are a more affordable way of treating the family.

And four in 10 people say taking time out with the family on a regular basis helps them feel less guilty about spending so much time away from the children at work.

The children also benefit from trips around the UK - 70 per cent of parents say their children get really excited about having quality time with their family.

Chris Hale, spokesman for Holiday Inn, said: "Over the past few years, we've seen a huge surge in the number of people booking into Holiday Inns for short breaks. Gone are the bad old days when people would save all year for their annual two week summer holiday at the busiest and most expensive period - we're much too savvy nowadays".

"Now everyone is grabbing a few days here and there to get out and about and discover this fabulous country of ours - without all the stress and cost of just one long holiday."

In fact, folk are quick to criticise long holidays.  A quarter polled said they hated spending their hard earned cash on just one break.

Fifteen per cent can't stand flying to faraway destinations and one in 10 people hate long journeys on the ferry, train or in the car.

Nineteen per cent of folk hate the extensive packing and unpacking required for a long trip, whilst one in 10 get fed up with the laundry on their return.

Six per cent worry about the work they will need to catch up on, and five per cent simply miss their home comforts.

Chris Hale, spokesman for Holiday Inn, said: "Why spend your hard earned cash on one big holiday when three or four breaks a year is less stress, less money and a lot more fun?"

For further information please contact:

Suzanne Seyghal
PR Manager EMEA
Tel: (0) 1753 410 247
[email protected]

Jade Adnett
Communications Coordinator
Tel: (0) 1753 410 259
[email protected]

Notes to Editors:

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG) of the United Kingdom [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is one of the world’s largest hotel groups by number of rooms. IHG owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, almost 4,000 hotels and more than 585,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world. IHG owns a portfolio of well recognised and respected hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites®, Candlewood Suites® and Hotel Indigo®, and also manages the world’s largest hotel loyalty programme, Priority Club® Rewards with over 37 million members worldwide.

The company pioneered the travel industry’s first collaborative response to environmental issues as founder of the International Hotels and Environment Initiative (IHEI). The IHEI formed the foundations of the Tourism Partnership launched by the International Business Leaders Forum in 2004, of which IHG is still a member today. The environment and local communities remain at the heart of IHG’s global corporate responsibility focus.

IHG offers information and online reservations for all its hotel brands at http://www.ihg.com/ and information for the Priority Club Rewards programme at http://www.priorityclub.com/.

For the latest news from IHG, visit our online Press Office at www.ihg.com/media

InterContinental Hotels Group is a registered company. For more information go to: www.ihg.com/legal