Brits embracing ‘slow travel’ to escape flight chaos, finds new research

With experts warning that air traffic control staff shortages could create another summer of flight chaos, new research by HolidayPirates has found almost 1 in 4 (24%) Brits are being put off flying by ever-increasing airport delays and disruptions. The independent poll of 1,003 UK adults conducted by Censuswide on behalf of the online travel deals platform found that almost 1 in 4 (23%) would also travel more if they could avoid the stress of the airport.

The study found that almost a third (29%) avoided flying at least once in the past year, signalling a shift towards exploring alternative ways of travelling. ’Slow travel’ – adopting less rushed and more mindful travel habits to maximise the experience of visiting new destinations - is one of these alternatives on the rise.

Almost a third (32%) think slow travel, including the likes of train, coach, ferry, and campervan trips, would be a calmer and more stress-free experience compared to flying, and over 1 in 4 (27%) think they’d be much more comfortable.

The five most sought-after ‘slow’ experiences were: Cruising the fjords and coastal villages of Scandinavia (32%), a train journey through the Swiss Alps (31%), a canal boat trip through the Netherlands (29%), sailing the Greek Islands (29%), and interrailing across Europe (27%).

Despite the growing interest, Brits feel barriers to adopting slow travel remain. Almost 1 in 4 (23%) would prioritise slow travel options for future trips if they were more widely available and accessible, but 17% of respondents say they don’t have the time to plan for it and 17% wouldn’t know how to organise a slow travel trip.

In response, HolidayPirates has launched its very first ‘Slow Travel’ selection, aiming to make slow travel more accessible and appealing for all. Its team of travel experts have curated a collection of great value slow travel deals as well as guidance and tips on booking and embarking on slow travel experiences.

Phil Salcedo, Head of Market, UK & North America at HolidayPirates, says: “With each summer seeming to bring more news of air travel delays and disruptions, our research has shown that Brits are increasingly looking for more stress-free alternatives to getting away.

So, with every penny still being watched carefully by consumers across the country, we've launched our ‘Slow Travel’ selection, offering helpful advice and the best-value-for-money deals - from European train journeys and UK campervan adventures to walking holidays and scenic ferry crossings - to make slow travel available and accessible to all.”

Click here to explore HolidayPirates’ Slow Travel selection.

About HolidayPirates:

HolidayPirates, the UK arm of the HolidayPirates Group, is a travel deals platform with a mission to make travel accessible and affordable for everyone.

Our team of travel experts find and curate the best value-for-money deals from packages, flights and hotels, through to car hire, holiday homes, luxury stays and weekend breaks. We also work with leading travel brands to source exclusive offers that simply cannot be found anywhere else.

HolidayPirates takes the time and hassle out of finding genuine travel bargains by sharing deals directly across our website, WhatsApp, newsletters, mobile app, and on social media. 2 million travel enthusiasts visit our website every month, plus we have over 2.2 million followers on social media – the largest of any travel brand in the UK.

Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Berlin, the HolidayPirates Group operates in 10 countries – the UK, Germany, Austria, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Switzerland and the United States. Our expert editorial teams around the world inspire over 20 million consumers every month to travel, explore and holiday more for less.

Press contact

Annabelle Rennie
PR & Communications Manager UK

E-Mail: [email protected]

E-Mail: [email protected]