• New emerging travel trend revealed of Brits taking multiple, shorter breaks a year – with flexible working bolstering this
• Gen Z now take an average of two international holidays a year, with Londoners booking the most at three within 12 months
• One in three (33%) now book shorter holidays so they get more time off throughout the year
• 79% admit that they will take long weekend holidays so they can work abroad on a Friday and 69% say they do not notify their boss when working abroad

Despite the cost of living crisis taking hold, many Brits are now shunning the traditional two-week holiday in favour of shorter breaks, as a new study reveals that Gen Z are now taking an average of two mini breaks abroad and three staycations a year versus a traditional two week-long family holiday.

The new study of 2,000 adults commissioned by great-value package holiday provider easyJet holidays, uncovered a new emerging, generational trend as Gen Z is the most likely to book more mini breaks due to flexible working.

Over half (57%) admit that they will only accept a job that offers flexible working, whilst over half opt to take mini breaks in order to maximise their holiday allowance.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also brought out a more spontaneous streak as one in three of youngsters admit to holding off planning a traditional fortnight holiday in favour of shorter ‘spur of the moment’ breaks with the average mini break being booked with five weeks' notice.

The rise in hybrid working has also meant that more Brits are taking long weekends away, with 79% choosing to work Fridays abroad so they can make the most of their mini break.  Although 79% admitted to not telling their bosses they were working abroad and keeping it under the radar.

More than 43% of us admitted to booking beach mini breaks where our main priority was to relax and sunbathe. When booking a city break, over half (56%) stated they visit places where they could soak up the food and drink culture, followed by history (46%) and sunshine (49%).

Special occasions were high on the list of reasons for booking mini getaways with 39% admitting they’d think about celebrating a birthday with a short break and 21% an anniversary.

Top mini break destinations include Spain (42 percent), Italy (37 percent), France (36 percent) and Portugal (30 percent).

 The nation’s top 5 mini break destinations

1. Spain 42%
2. Italy 37%
3. France 36%
4. Portugal 30%
5. Netherlands 26%

Matt Callaghan, easyJet holidays’ Director of Customer & Operations comments: “"Our research has clearly shown that there's huge demand to catch up on holidays lost during the pandemic years.

While traditional, longer family breaks are still popular, it’s clear to see that Gen Z is adopting a more ‘little and often’ approach to holidays. Our city getaways are a firm favourite for our customers looking for a mini break, as they can make the most of our wide range and flexible flight times to really maximise their time away and explore more of what Europe has to offer.”

easyJet holidays is offering savings of up to £300 off all package holidays currently on sale, by simply using the code ORANGESALE when they book before 11pm on 31 January 2023. Holidaymakers can save £300 when they spend a minimum of £3000, £150 when they spend a minimum of £1500, and £100 when they spend a minimum of £700. Book at easyjet.com/en/holidays

ENDS

Notes to Editors:    

This research of 2,000 UK based Britons was commissioned by EJH and conducted by Perspectus Global during December 2022.

About easyJet Holidays:

easyJet holidays offers great-value beach, city and lakes holidays to more than 100 destinations across Europe, directly through its website and through over 3000 travel agent partners. The ATOL-protected holidays company combines easyJet’s flexible flight programme, with handpicked hotels and best-in-class technology to provide hassle-free personalised holiday experiences which can be secured with a deposit of just £60 per person. The holidays operator is an ABTA member too, providing additional reassurance to customers under the UK’s most trusted travel scheme. With a range of holiday types, from adult and family to luxury and undiscovered, transfers included on beach holidays, 23kg hold luggage included on all bookings, and over 5,000 hotels, across over 500 resorts, customers can holiday the way they want.

 

All easyJet holidays are covered by its Protection Promise, an industry leading policy giving customers ultimate flexibility, protection and reassurance and letting them book with total confidence. The Promise offers a refund guarantee, freedom to change a booking, a reduced balance due date, a Best Price Guarantee, and deposit refunds.

 

In 2021 easyJet holidays launched its inaugural sustainability strategy focusing on three key pillars – create better holiday choices which is about making sustainable travel affordable and accessible to everyone; keep our holidays special which is maximising the benefits and minimising the negative impacts of travel and tourism, and transform travel for everyone which means embedding sustainability into business decisions and behaviours and driving meaningful change in the industry. Through ongoing collaboration with the Travel Foundation, the University of Oxford, and as a member of the GSTC, easyJet holidays is focused on building its research, partnerships and certifications, and taking action to make a positive impact on the people and places that make its destinations so special.