One in five Brits return home from holiday disappointed with their sunshine break, new research has revealed.
A study carried out among 2,000 holidaymakers found that many are left homesick, irritated or bored after jetting off for the trip of a lifetime.
Noisy hotel neighbours, expensive food and language barriers were mentioned among the worst holiday turn-offs for Brits.
While changeable weather, cheesy hotel entertainment and a pebbly beach were also listed as trip ruiners.
The study was commissioned by Airbnb, who have collaborated with author and philosopher Alain de Botton to write a chapter in his book The New Art of Travel. The content is based in a shared desire to improve Brits’ travel experience.
An Airbnb spokesperson said: ‘’Though the aim of a holiday is to have fun and relax, of course there are times we can feel stressed, disheartened or even isolated.
‘’Alain de Botton describes how we are often disappointed by our holidays and that we may need to look deeper into our motives for travel.
‘’And there are things we can consider to reduce the chance of being disappointed by a trip away.
‘’As a starting point, having an open conversation with your travel companion about what you’re hoping and expecting to get from your trip is an important thing to do.’’
The research showed the typical Brit will go on holiday once a year, with one in four who described a yearly trip away as a ‘necessity’.
But more than half confessed to getting annoyed on holiday, with over 60 percent who said going on their dream trip hadn’t met their expectations.
Choosing the wrong travelling companions was a mistake for a fifth of holiday makers, who said the worst travel partner will moan all the time, sleep all day and won’t try the local food.
In fact, Brits get into an average of one argument a day on holiday, the poll showed – usually with their spouse over the basics of what to do and where to go.
With 10 percent who even admitted their relationship had ended whilst away on holiday.
After travelling companions the holidaymakers’ greatest gripes were bad weather, unexpectedly high costs and too many other tourists.
Among the list was the disappointment that the local beach had pebbles instead of sand, or that the sea ‘wasn’t turquoise enough’.
A regret-filled 17 per cent claimed their trip was tainted by visiting the wrong resort – having accidentally booked a holiday to an 18-35 drinking island, or a trip for the over 50s.
Lack of preparation was a common theme – as 18 per cent admitted they’d been caught out by forgetting to check the cost of a pint before booking their dream trip away.
Others confessed to not checking the regional weather reports, how close the hotel was to the town – or even whether there was political unrest.
The various disappointments meant almost one in three admitted they no longer like going on holiday, with 24 per cent who said they look forward to the relief of returning home.
Worse still, a resigned 8 percent confessed they had even returned early from what they hoped would be their dream trip in the sun.
An Airbnb spokesperson said, ” ‘The New Art of Travel’ explores the reality of our holidays and how they often don’t match our expectations.
It also describes how by looking deeper at what you need from a holiday, you can have a meaningful experience in a unique and intimate destination.’’
TOP 20 REASONS BRITS WANT TO COME HOME
1. Bad weather
2. High cost of living
3. Annoying travel companions
4. Not having fun
5. Wrong kind of resort (e.g. 18-35)
6. Too many British tourists
7. Bad public transport
8. Cheesy hotel entertainment
9. Disappointing beach (e.g. pebbly, sea not turquoise enough)
10. Arguments with partner
11. Bad views from the hotel room
12. Getting sunburnt
13. Language barriers
14. Nightmare neighbours
15. Nothing in the local town
16. Don’t like the local food
17. Scenery different to brochure
18. No access to English TV
19. Getting lost too often
20. Feeling a culture shock
