I-spy... A new craze for driving holidays

The May Bank Holiday is nearly here and the British public are ready to experience the independence, fun and freedom of a motoring holiday, with one in five people saying they will hit the roads and take a driving holiday this year according to a survey by Volkswagen campervans.

The findings also showed that more than half of Brits are planning to stay in so-called ‘no-tels’ – anything other than a hotel or apartment – and are intending to take more spontaneous and adventurous holidays, staying in campervans, motorhomes, tents or caravans instead.

More than two thirds (68 per cent) of people say that adventure holidays make them bond more with their family, and that a UK-based activity break would see families spending more quality time with their children.

Amanda Lamb, travel expert and TV presenter of ‘A Place In The Sun’, says: ‘In these unusual times people’s habits are changing.  They want to pack up their loved ones and throw themselves into the thrill of road trips rather than being tied to a beach.’

The shift to more spontaneous holiday habits probably mirrors the mood of the nation, with the gloomy economy tempting people to escape to the freedom of the open road.  Forty per cent of people say they will ‘set off on holiday and just see where they end up’ rather than planning anything in advance.  A campervan was the most popular type of vehicle that people said would encourage them to take more breaks.

It’s not just the open road people look to for escape.  Nine out of ten parents say that playing games together as a family on holiday is important, and will be indulging in the nation’s top three ‘car games’, which were revealed as ‘i-spy’, ‘number plate game’ and ‘yellow car’.  People are predicted to play more than 100 million games of ‘i-spy’ while on the road this year.

A motoring holiday allows people, and particularly families, the chance to have some spontaneity and adventure in their lives, and provides a real break from the old routine. It seems the freedom and carefree spirit in the 60s is back.

Proving that Brits really are in it for the experience this year, the survey also revealed that just 20 per cent said the threat of rain could stop them having fun.  However, one in five will be packing wellies and one in three an umbrella.  As a nation, though, we remain optimistic: over 80 per cent of respondents claimed they were planning to take sunglasses on holiday.

Coleman Parkes carried out this research study in April 2009.  A representative sample of 1,000 UK adults was questioned.