1 in 5 UK holiday makers use car hire to see more on their travels

When foreign travel first became accessible to the masses in the 1970's, tens of thousands of Brits began streaming abroad annually over the next 30 years in a travel revolution provided by package holidays. Up until the late 1990's and even into the 21st century, package holidays dominated the plans of UK holiday makers and garnered Brits a reputation as sun, sea and sand seekers. This stereotype has eroded in recent years as UK holiday makers have moved away from the traditional, stereotypical package holiday offerings.

The surge of independent travel in recent years has been considerable. The internet has fuelled the ability of holiday makers and travellers to investigate options for travel, accommodation and services in a way that they have previously been unable to explore. Furthermore, the cost reductions associated with online bookings and the rise of budget airlines has made more exotic destinations more accessible to the average UK holiday maker opening an interest beyond the previous staple of two weeks on the Spanish Costas.

The internet has become a resource for travellers and holiday makers to share experience with the popularity of online travel editorials such as Travelmag. In recent time, more and more UK holiday makers are using the web to research destinations and make arrangements independently to tailor their holiday the way they want it.

The rise in car hire abroad amongst UK holiday makers as published in the World Driving Survey comes as no surprise given these trends. With information on locations, flights, accommodation and attractions in specific destinations more accessible than ever before, awareness about what destinations have to offer is greater than ever. This in turn fuels the curiosity of the holiday makers to discover what lies beyond the realms of the previously enclosed purpose built resort.

About the author:
Andrew Regan is a freelance online journalist who enjoys travelling.