Instructions: Read the text below to find the answers to the questions on your worksheet.
European Tourists
Do you prefer to go on holiday in your own country or abroad? According to recent European Union statistics the people who take the most holidays are the Germans. More than 4 out of 5 Germans went on holiday in 2001 as opposed to the Portuguese where only one in three people took a holiday.
Most European tourists (holidaymakers who come from countries within the European Union) tend to take holidays in Europe with Spain, France and Italy. These preferred destinations account for between 48 and 86% of all foreign holidays taken by EU nationals.
The Spanish, French, Italians, Portuguese and Finnish often prefer not to go abroad at all. They tend to take their holidays in their own countries, unlike the Belgians, Germans, Luxembourgish and Dutch who prefer to go to other EU countries.
In 2001, however, all EU holidaymakers preferred to go to other EU countries rather than their own, apart from the French. People from Luxembourg showed the highest rate of going abroad at 81% of the population.
Home or Away?
Why is it that some people prefer to have a foreign holiday while others prefer to stay in their own country? There are many reasons: economic factors such as the cost of the holiday play a part along with current affairs (such as the Foot & Mouth outbreak in the UK, terrorist attacks such as September 11 etc). Culture and geography of the countries involved have an important role, as does the variety of services and attractions offered to tourists. In addition, the reason for the holiday (to relax, to see the sights, to visit relatives/friends etc) is an important consideration, and, last but not least, the success of tour operators' marketing campaigns can help some holidaymakers decide where to go.
Next-door Neighbours
One of the major trends continues to be holidaying in neighbouring countries: the Belgians go to France, the Germans go to Austria, the Spanish go to Portugal and the Portuguese go to Spain.
British Tourists
In 1996 62% of British people holidayed in Britain. By 2000 this had fallen to 47%. In 2001 all EU holidaymakers preferred to travel by car rather than train, plane etc., except the British who prefer to fly. The fact that the country is an island no doubt influences this.
London
London is still one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe and, indeed, the world. This is borne out by the fact that in 2001 London received 11.5 million visitors.
Quick Quiz
Read the clues below and write the solutions on a piece of paper. Then take the first letter of each answer and rearrange them to find the hidden word connected with this Talking Point.
- 1. The fact that Britain is an __________ means that many British tourists prefer to travel by plane.
2. In 2001 only one in three __________ people took a holiday.
3. Another word for holidaymaker is __________.
4. There are many factors which influence where people might choose to go on holiday. The culture and geography of the destination countries have an important __________.