Poll Archive
Flying Matters Poll
Fieldwork: January 4th 2008 - January 10th 2008
published by Flying Matters
Are you planning to take a foreign holiday this year? (n=2166)
| Total | M | F | 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-54 | 55-64 | 65+ | AB | C1 | C2 | DE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 47% | 48% | 45% | 58% | 58% | 51% | 46% | 45% | 30% | 59% | 51% | 46% | 29% |
| No | 50% | 49% | 51% | 40% | 39% | 45% | 51% | 50% | 69% | 38% | 46% | 51% | 68% |
| Total | South East | Mids | North England | Wales & South West | Scotland | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 47% | 48% | 44% | 48% | 45% | 50% |
| No | 50% | 47% | 54% | 50% | 52% | 47% |
Approximately a half (47%) of people are planning to take a foreign holiday this year, including nearly three-fifths of 18-34 year olds (58%) and professionals (ABs: 59%) but fewer than a third of over 65s (30%) and of those on low or no incomes (DEs: 29%).
Where are you planning to go? (all those planning to take a foreign holiday this year, n=1012)
| Total | M | F | 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-54 | 55-64 | 65+ | AB | C1 | C2 | DE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 46% | 44% | 48% | 42% | 42% | 48% | 50% | 44% | 53% | 48% | 46% | 44% | 47% |
| North America | 9% | 10% | 8% | 13% | 11% | 10% | 8% | 6% | 7% | 10% | 7% | 12% | 8% |
| Africa | 7% | 7% | 7% | 8% | 4% | 7% | 8% | 7% | 9% | 7% | 7% | 6% | 8% |
| Asia | 6% | 7% | 5% | 8% | 9% | 4% | 5% | 7% | 2% | 7% | 6% | 6% | 5% |
| Central & South America | 5% | 6% | 5% | 9% | 6% | 6% | 4% | 4% | 3% | 5% | 5% | 8% | 3% |
| Australasia | 3% | 4% | 3% | 4% | 3% | 1% | 2% | 6% | 3% | 4% | 1% | 4% | 5% |
| DK/Other | 31% | 30% | 33% | 25% | 37% | 28% | 33% | 35% | 29% | 32% | 32% | 31% | 30% |
| Total | South East | Mids | North England | Wales & South West | Scotland | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 46% | 43% | 45% | 51% | 47% | 43% |
| North America | 9% | 8% | 12% | 6% | 11% | 14% |
| Africa | 7% | 13% | 6% | 4% | 5% | 5% |
| Asia | 6% | 8% | 6% | 5% | 3% | 7% |
| Central & South America | 5% | 7% | 5% | 6% | 3% | 4% |
| Australasia | 3% | 2% | 3% | 5% | 5% | 3% |
| DK/Other | 31% | 30% | 32% | 30% | 34% | 32% |
Europe remains the most popular destination for foreign travel across all age groups, classes and regions. Nearly half of the population (46%) who plan to go abroad say they will go there including 53% of over 65s and 51% of people living in the North of England.
How are you planning to travel abroad (all planning a foreign holiday this year, n=1012)?
| By Air | 87% |
|---|---|
| By Car | 12% |
| By Train | 5% |
| DK/Other | 10% |
Nearly 9 out of 10 travellers will fly at some point during their holiday abroad.
Do you have close friends or family members living abroad? (n=2166)
| Total | M | F | 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-54 | 55-64 | 65+ | AB | C1 | C2 | DE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 46% | 49% | 43% | 46% | 50% | 50% | 42% | 43% | 44% | 54% | 52% | 38% | 35% |
| No | 54% | 51% | 57% | 54% | 50% | 50% | 58% | 57% | 56% | 46% | 48% | 62% | 65% |
| Total | South East | Mids | North England | Wales & South West | Scotland | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 46% | 55% | 44% | 43% | 40% | 42% |
| No | 54% | 45% | 56% | 57% | 60% | 58% |
Nearly a half (46%) of people have close friends or family members living abroad, including 50% of 25-44 year olds, 54% of professionals and 55% of those living in London and the South East, but only 38% of manual workers and 35% of those on low or no income.
What kind of friends or relatives are they? (all those with close friends or relatives living abroad, n=991)
| Other relatives (Extended family) | 72% |
|---|---|
| Other friends | 20% |
| Best friend | 15% |
| Parents | 10% |
| Children | 10% |
| Grandparents | 6% |
| Grandchildren | 3% |
| At least close family/Best friend | 35% |
| At least close family | 24% |
| Extended family & other friends (exc. best friend & immediate family) | 82% |
| [n=2166] | Total | M | F | 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-54 | 55-64 | 65+ | AB | C1 | C2 | DE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % with extended family outside UK | 33% | 36% | 30% | 40% | 38% | 38% | 30% | 29% | 24% | 39% | 38% | 27% | 25% |
| Total | South East | Mids | North England | Wales & South West | Scotland | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % with extended family outside UK | 33% | 38% | 33% | 32% | 28% | 27% |
Nearly three quarters (72%) of those with close friends and family abroad have extended family living outside the UK. This accounts for a third of the population overall (33%) a figure that rises to 40% among 18-24 year olds.
Where do they live? (all those with close friends or family living abroad, n=991)
| Total | M | F | 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-54 | 55-64 | 65+ | AB | C1 | C2 | DE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 32% | 33% | 32% | 33% | 34% | 34% | 35% | 27% | 30% | 39% | 34% | 27% | 24% |
| Australasia | 29% | 28% | 29% | 28% | 23% | 27% | 26% | 38% | 32% | 28% | 29% | 30% | 29% |
| North America | 27% | 30% | 23% | 41% | 29% | 21% | 20% | 29% | 26% | 27% | 29% | 27% | 22% |
| Central & South America | 9% | 10% | 9% | 21% | 6% | 12% | 9% | 6% | 6% | 8% | 9% | 9% | 14% |
| Asia | 9% | 10% | 9% | 18% | 16% | 8% | 5% | 6% | 5% | 10% | 10% | 8% | 7% |
| Africa | 8% | 7% | 9% | 12% | 8% | 11% | 7% | 2% | 8% | 8% | 10% | 7% | 6% |
| Other | 24% | 22% | 26% | 11% | 27% | 25% | 25% | 29% | 24% | 22% | 26% | 22% | 27% |
Total | South East | Mids | North England | Wales & South West | Scotland | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 32% | 33% | 33% | 34% | 30% | 28% |
| Australasia | 29% | 26% | 28% | 30% | 35% | 29% |
| North America | 27% | 30% | 28% | 23% | 23% | 26% |
| Central & South America | 9% | 10% | 12% | 10% | 4% | 8% |
| Asia | 9% | 13% | 9% | 7% | 2% | 9% |
| Africa | 8% | 12% | 5% | 9% | 6% | 6% |
| Other | 24% | 24% | 22% | 28% | 23% | 22% |
A third of those who have close friends or family members living abroad say they have relatives/friends in Europe (32%), ranging from 39% of professionals to 24% of those on low or no income.
Nearly three in ten (29%) have friends and family in Australasia rising from 23% of 35-44 year olds to 38% of those aged 55-64.
More than a quarter have friends or families living in North America (27%).
Do you plan to combine your main holiday this year with visiting close friends or family members abroad? (all those with friends or family members living abroad, n=991)
| Total | M | F | 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-54 | 55-64 | 65+ | AB | C1 | C2 | DE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 32% | 32% | 32% | 53% | 40% | 29% | 28% | 29% | 21% | 36% | 34% | 27% | 27% |
| No | 65% | 65% | 66% | 47% | 58% | 67% | 70% | 69% | 75% | 60% | 64% | 71% | 72% |
| Total | South East | Mids | North England | Wales & South West | Scotland | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 32% | 39% | 32% | 26% | 27% | 31% |
| No | 65% | 57% | 67% | 74% | 69% | 68% |
Of those with close friends or family abroad, around a third (32%) plan to visit them as part of their main holiday this year, ranging from more than a half of 18-24 year olds (53%) to around a fifth (21%) of over 65s.
Do you plan to combine your main holiday this year with visiting close friends or family members abroad? (all planning to take a foreign holiday this year, n=1012)
| Total | M | F | 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-54 | 55-64 | 65+ | AB | C1 | C2 | DE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 30% | 30% | 29% | 41% | 36% | 25% | 19% | 29% | 29% | 33% | 30% | 22% | 32% |
| No | 70% | 69% | 70% | 59% | 64% | 73% | 81% | 71% | 69% | 66% | 69% | 77% | 68% |
| Total | South East | Mids | North England | Wales & South West | Scotland | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 30% | 39% | 31% | 24% | 23% | 24% |
| No | 70% | 59% | 69% | 76% | 75% | 75% |
30% of people planning a foreign holiday abroad will visit close friends or family while doing so, ranging from 41% of 18-24 year olds to 19% of 45-54 year olds
When did you last visit close friends or family members abroad? (all those with close friends or family members living abroad, n=991)
| Total | M | F | 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-54 | 55-64 | 65+ | AB | C1 | C2 | DE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In the last month | 6% | 7% | 4% | 8% | 6% | 5% | 8% | 5% | 4% | 8% | 6% | 3% | 5% |
| In the last six months | 16% | 19% | 12% | 23% | 21% | 17% | 14% | 12% | 13% | 22% | 16% | 12% | 12% |
| In the last year | 33% | 36% | 29% | 42% | 37% | 32% | 34% | 32% | 28% | 47% | 29% | 26% | 26% |
| In the last 2 years | 45% | 47% | 42% | 55% | 52% | 44% | 49% | 40% | 37% | 59% | 46% | 35% | 32% |
| In the last 5 years | 60% | 62% | 56% | 66% | 67% | 63% | 60% | 51% | 54% | 70% | 64% | 46% | 50% |
| Longer ago than that | 15% | 14% | 16% | 16% | 9% | 11% | 12% | 22% | 20% | 11% | 16% | 15% | 20% |
| Never | 24% | 22% | 26% | 18% | 22% | 26% | 29% | 27% | 21% | 18% | 19% | 38% | 29% |
| Total | South East | Mids | North England | Wales & South West | Scotland | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In the last month | 6% | 8% | 4% | 6% | 4% | 6% |
| In the last six months | 16% | 21% | 13% | 16% | 12% | 15% |
| In the last year | 33% | 38% | 33% | 29% | 34% | 30% |
| In the last 2 years | 45% | 52% | 42% | 41% | 47% | 41% |
| In the last 5 years | 60% | 68% | 56% | 56% | 58% | 56% |
| Longer ago than that | 15% | 14% | 12% | 20% | 12% | 15% |
| Never | 24% | 18% | 30% | 22% | 28% | 26% |
| % who haven't seen close friends or family members living abroad for … | Total | M | F | 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-54 | 55-64 | 65+ | AB | C1 | C2 | DE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At least a month | 69% | 70% | 68% | 73% | 71% | 67% | 64% | 68% | 71% | 73% | 73% | 58% | 65% |
| At least six months | 59% | 57% | 60% | 59% | 57% | 56% | 58% | 62% | 62% | 59% | 64% | 48% | 59% |
| At least a year | 41% | 40% | 43% | 39% | 40% | 41% | 38% | 41% | 47% | 34% | 50% | 34% | 45% |
| At least 2 years | 29% | 29% | 30% | 27% | 25% | 29% | 24% | 33% | 37% | 23% | 33% | 25% | 38% |
| At least 5 years | 15% | 14% | 16% | 16% | 10% | 11% | 13% | 22% | 20% | 11% | 16% | 14% | 20% |
| Never | 24% | 22% | 26% | 18% | 22% | 26% | 29% | 27% | 21% | 18% | 19% | 38% | 29% |
| % who haven't seen close friends or family members living abroad for … | Total | South East | Mids | North England | Wales & South West | Scotland |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At least a month | 69% | 73% | 65% | 70% | 66% | 67% |
| At least six months | 59% | 61% | 56% | 60% | 58% | 58% |
| At least a year | 41% | 44% | 36% | 47% | 36% | 43% |
| At least 2 years | 29% | 30% | 26% | 35% | 23% | 32% |
| At least 5 years | 15% | 14% | 12% | 20% | 12% | 16% |
| Never | 24% | 18% | 30% | 22% | 28% | 26% |
A third of those with close friends or family abroad have visited them in the past year, nearly a half (45%) have visited them within the last 2 years, and three out of five (60%) have visited them in the last 5 years.
Nearly twice as many professionals with friends and family abroad have visited them in the last year (47%) as manual workers or those on low or no incomes (26%).
What was the main reason for your visit? (all who have ever visited close friends or family members abroad, n=754)
| Total | M | F | 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-54 | 55-64 | 65+ | AB | C1 | C2 | DE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Just to visit | 77% | 78% | 76% | 79% | 76% | 78% | 77% | 77% | 77% | 76% | 83% | 66% | 78% |
| Wedding | 7% | 8% | 7% | 11% | 12% | 7% | 6% | 8% | 2% | 9% | 7% | 7% | 4% |
| Anniversary/Reunion | 4% | 3% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 4% | 3% | 3% | 5% | 6% | 4% | 4% | 2% |
| Religious festival | 4% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 3% | 5% | 3% | 5% | 4% | 5% |
| Birthday | 2% | 2% | 2% | 0% | 4% | 0% | 2% | 4% | 2% | 3% | 1% | 4% | 2% |
| Funeral | 2% | 1% | 3% | 5% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 0% | 2% | 1% | 3% | 1% | 3% |
| To see a newborn | 2% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 4% | 0% | 2% | 1% | 3% | 2% | 0% | 1% | 5% |
| Other | 13% | 13% | 13% | 13% | 12% | 14% | 11% | 17% | 12% | 15% | 10% | 16% | 13% |
| Total | South East | Mids | North England | Wales & South West | Scotland | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Just to visit | 77% | 78% | 79% | 74% | 78% | 78% |
| Wedding | 7% | 6% | 6% | 11% | 4% | 10% |
| Anniversary/Reunion | 4% | 5% | 2% | 7% | 2% | 4% |
| Religious festival | 4% | 5% | 1% | 4% | 5% | 5% |
| Birthday | 2% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 4% | 1% |
| Funeral | 2% | 1% | 2% | 4% | 1% | 2% |
| To see a newborn | 2% | 3% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 0% |
| Other | 13% | 15% | 13% | 11% | 17% | 8% |
More than three quarters of those who have ever visited friends or family abroad (77%) have done so just to see them rather than for a special occasion.
To what extent do the following factors play a part in how often you are able to visit close friends and family members abroad? (those with close friends or family members living abroad, n=991)
| Family commitments | Total | M | F | 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-54 | 55-64 | 65+ | AB | C1 | C2 | DE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A large factor | 39% | 38% | 41% | 38% | 40% | 47% | 41% | 39% | 29% | 39% | 42% | 43% | 33% |
| A small factor | 21% | 21% | 21% | 27% | 21% | 18% | 26% | 16% | 20% | 23% | 24% | 13% | 19% |
| NET: A factor | 60% | 59% | 62% | 65% | 61% | 65% | 67% | 55% | 49% | 62% | 66% | 56% | 52% |
| No factor at all | 39% | 41% | 37% | 34% | 40% | 34% | 33% | 45% | 49% | 37% | 35% | 44% | 47% |
| Family commitments | Total | South East | Mids | North England | Wales & South West | Scotland |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A large factor | 39% | 42% | 42% | 37% | 36% | 34% |
| A small factor | 21% | 19% | 22% | 20% | 24% | 21% |
| NET: A factor | 60% | 61% | 64% | 57% | 60% | 55% |
| No factor at all | 39% | 39% | 35% | 41% | 40% | 46% |
| Work commitments | Total | M | F | 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-54 | 55-64 | 65+ | AB | C1 | C2 | DE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A large factor | 42% | 41% | 44% | 54% | 55% | 57% | 50% | 28% | 12% | 45% | 51% | 39% | 25% |
| A small factor | 18% | 20% | 17% | 19% | 23% | 22% | 24% | 19% | 6% | 21% | 17% | 22% | 13% |
| NET: A factor | 60% | 61% | 61% | 73% | 78% | 79% | 74% | 47% | 18% | 66% | 68% | 61% | 38% |
| No factor at all | 39% | 38% | 39% | 27% | 22% | 20% | 27% | 53% | 81% | 34% | 32% | 39% | 60% |
| Work commitments | Total | South East | Mids | North Eng-land | Wales & South West | Scotl-and |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A large factor | 42% | 41% | 45% | 40% | 39% | 46% |
| A small factor | 18% | 21% | 15% | 18% | 19% | 21% |
| NET: A factor | 60% | 62% | 60% | 58% | 58% | 67% |
| No factor at all | 39% | 37% | 39% | 42% | 42% | 33% |
| Cost of travelling | Total | M | F | 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-54 | 55-64 | 65+ | AB | C1 | C2 | DE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A large factor | 55% | 51% | 60% | 77% | 59% | 61% | 52% | 51% | 38% | 50% | 61% | 57% | 52% |
| A small factor | 23% | 27% | 19% | 15% | 29% | 24% | 28% | 24% | 18% | 29% | 23% | 19% | 18% |
| NET: A factor | 78% | 78% | 79% | 92% | 88% | 85% | 80% | 75% | 56% | 79% | 84% | 76% | 70% |
| No factor at all | 21% | 21% | 21% | 8% | 12% | 14% | 20% | 25% | 43% | 21% | 16% | 23% | 28% |
| Cost of travelling | Total | South East | Mids | North England | Wales & South West | Scotland |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A large factor | 55% | 56% | 56% | 56% | 50% | 56% |
| A small factor | 23% | 23% | 25% | 20% | 25% | 25% |
| NET: A factor | 78% | 79% | 81% | 76% | 75% | 81% |
| No factor at all | 21% | 21% | 18% | 23% | 25% | 18% |
| Time taken to travel | Total | M | F | 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-54 | 55-64 | 65+ | AB | C1 | C2 | DE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A large factor | 28% | 27% | 29% | 19% | 23% | 32% | 33% | 28% | 31% | 27% | 26% | 31% | 33% |
| A small factor | 30% | 31% | 29% | 40% | 34% | 34% | 32% | 24% | 18% | 35% | 34% | 26% | 17% |
| NET: A factor | 58% | 58% | 58% | 59% | 57% | 66% | 65% | 52% | 49% | 62% | 60% | 57% | 50% |
| No factor at all | 41% | 41% | 40% | 41% | 41% | 33% | 35% | 47% | 49% | 38% | 40% | 42% | 47% |
| Time taken to travel | Total | South East | Mids | North England | Wales & South West | Scotland |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A large factor | 28% | 29% | 24% | 31% | 26% | 32% |
| A small factor | 30% | 30% | 36% | 24% | 29% | 28% |
| NET: A factor | 58% | 59% | 60% | 55% | 55% | 60% |
| No factor at all | 41% | 40% | 38% | 43% | 44% | 40% |
| Environmental concerns | Total | M | F | 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-54 | 55-64 | 65+ | AB | C1 | C2 | DE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A large factor | 19% | 17% | 23% | 19% | 16% | 18% | 20% | 27% | 19% | 15% | 19% | 22% | 26% |
| A small factor | 34% | 34% | 35% | 41% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 23% | 24% | 37% | 40% | 33% | 21% |
| NET: A factor | 53% | 51% | 58% | 60% | 56% | 58% | 60% | 50% | 43% | 52% | 59% | 55% | 47% |
| No factor at all | 45% | 49% | 42% | 40% | 44% | 42% | 40% | 48% | 56% | 48% | 41% | 44% | 51% |
| Environmental concerns | Total | South East | Mids | North England | Wales & South West | Scotland |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A large factor | 19% | 22% | 20% | 18% | 19% | 15% |
| A small factor | 34% | 33% | 36% | 30% | 37% | 45% |
| NET: A factor | 53% | 55% | 56% | 48% | 56% | 60% |
| No factor at all | 45% | 45% | 44% | 51% | 43% | 40% |
The most important factor of those prompted for which determines how often people are able to visit friends and family is ‘cost of travelling' mentioned by 78%, followed by ‘work and family commitments' each with 60%, the ‘time taken to travel' (58%) and finally environmental concerns (53%).
The greatest variation in cost as a factor is by age. It is mentioned by 92% of 18-24 year olds and 88% of 25-34s but only 56% of over 65s. Older people (55% of 55-64 year olds and 49% of over 65s) are also less likely to cite family commitments than the population as a whole, as are those on low or no incomes (52%) and people living in Scotland (55%).
Unsurprisingly older people (47% of 55-64s and 18% of over 65s) and those on low or no income (38%) are also less likely to say that work commitments are a factor in deciding whether to visit friends and relatives abroad or not. However people in Scotland (67%) are more likely to take work into account than those living elsewhere.
‘Time to travel' also varies by age and social grade being mentioned as a factor by only 52% of 55-64s, 49% of over 65s and 50% of those on low or no incomes but by 62% of professionals.
Environmental concerns are less likely to be factored in by the old (43% of over 65s), those on low or no incomes (47%) and people living in the North of England (48%)
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