Brits’ top holiday blunders include suffering lobster red sunburn, buying something they couldn’t bring home and missing their flight according to research. A poll of 2,000 holiday makers found as many as 86% have suffered some kind of mishap on holiday. With 11% experiencing at least one mistake during most or all their trips abroad.
Going exploring and winding up completely lost (24%) or spilling a drink all over themselves (or an unsuspecting stranger) (14%) also made the list of blush-inducing mishaps. The study was commissioned by ibis to support the launch of its new social media mini series, the Go Getters.
Jean-Yves Minet, global brand president of ibis, said: “Everyone travels differently. Some people prepare for every possibility, and others prefer to go with the flow – but no matter your style, the odd mishap is part of the experience and the story you tell when you get home.
“What matters most is feeling confident on the move and being able to enjoy the journey, even when it does not quite go to plan. Sometimes the magic is in the mayhem – it certainly makes for the best story.”
Are you a ‘Just-in-case Jetsetter’ or a ‘Chill Improviser’ when it comes to travelling abroad? Take this new travel quiz to find out.
When a holiday blunder strikes, 44% try to fix it, while 22% said they would laugh it off straight away. But although 56% think a few travel dramas are all part of the adventure, 77% believe they are pretty good at planning to avoid them in the first place.
Buying travel insurance, triple checking their passport is there, and continually applying sun cream were among the key hacks to avoid disaster.
This was followed by double checking the locks and keys, packing a first aid kit and keeping a watchful eye on the weather forecast.
The research, carried out via OnePoll, also revealed 31% want to travel more in 2026 than they did this year, with 35% claiming the experience is more important than just ticking somewhere off their list.
When it comes to planning these trips, they prioritise location (61%), as well as price (59%) and reviews (44%). While 64% think the key to affordable travel means getting the best value for money and smart planning and budgeting (40%).
Jean-Yves added: “Everyone has had a moment on holiday that didn’t quite go to plan. These findings show just how common they are, and how quickly most people turn them into moments of connection, laughter and shared stories.”
THE TOP 30 BIGGEST HOLIDAY MISHAPS:
-
Got badly sunburnt
-
Got lost
-
Spilled a drink all over myself or someone else
-
Misread a menu and ordered something unexpected
-
Couldn’t connect to Wi-Fi when I needed it most
-
Got hit with unexpected roaming charges
-
Mistakenly boarded the wrong train or bus
-
Lost my luggage
-
Missed a flight
-
Going over the luggage allowance and having to repack at the check-in desk
-
Missed a scheduled tour or activity
-
Said the wrong thing in a local language leading to confusion
-
Asking a stranger to take a photo of you – and discovering later that my head’s cut off or they only took one blurry shot
-
Getting off at the wrong stop because you thought “next station” meant this one
-
Bought something I couldn’t bring home
-
Walked into the wrong hotel room
-
Jet-lag errors – Waking up ready for breakfast… only to realize it’s still the middle of the night
-
Got trapped in a bathroom
-
Dropping towel/swimwear off balcony
-
Putting my valuables in the hotel safe then immediately forgetting the code
-
Luggage mix-up, picking up the wrong suitcase at the airport
-
Had my suitcase break and all my clothes tumble out
-
Had an argument with a stranger over reserving a sunbed
-
Tripped or slipped while taking a selfie
-
Turned up at the airport on the wrong day
-
Fell in the pool fully clothed
-
Dropped or lost my phone in the sea/pool
-
Swimwear going AWOL (losing them) on a waterslide
-
Locked myself out of my room in swimwear
-
Travelled to totally the wrong destination
#Brits #top #holiday #blunders #revealed #ten #mistake #trip #Travel #News #Travel
