Bye-Bye Blighty

A few weeks ago, I commented about how many British had opted to take their holidays in Britain rather than travel abroad. Well, after a cold and rain-soaked August, sentiment has shifted. So long to Blighty's dreary shores and hello to the sunny Med.


The Evening Standard reports that bookings for foreign holidays have soared by more than 150%. The article says:

Sun-starved Britons who holidayed at home this year to help save the planet and ease the credit crunch are now rushing to book overseas trips. Travel firms say there has been a huge "never again" backlash after a rain-drenched August, during which thousands of families decided not to fly to cut their carbon footprint. . . Many customers booked as soon as they got home from this year's summer trip.

Jonathan White, managing director of VFB Holidays, said: "We've spoken to lots of people who have sat through the wet weather here. Their view is simple: blow the recession: We need to get away somewhere warm. . .we've already opened our 2009 bookings and are hearing from people who've returned from rain-soaked UK holidays vowing 'never again'."

So, bugger austerity and saving the environment. The masses are voting with their feet and they want sunshine on their holidays! Looks like Boris Johnson was right all along.