Holiday without your dog? No way! 6.3m pooches heading on UK breaks with owners this year

Posted on : 07/31/2021
Holiday without your dog? No way! 6.3m pooches heading on UK breaks with owners this year
Travel 

Simon Calder offers advice on booking staycations for 2021

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Pet owners who are planning trips to popular destinations from beaches to national parks are expected to travel an average of 123 miles. This means the nation’s dogs will be driven a combined 1.4 billion miles across the UK this summer according to new research by Direct Line Motor Insurance.

Millions of Brits are opting to book getaways on homeland this year due to the inconsistent changes to travelling abroad.

A total of 36.9 million staycation trips were taken last year, with 25 per cent of people not finding overseas holidays appealing due to the pandemic.

Further research from Direct Line suggests the rise of UK holidays is booming, with 6.3 million dogs and 2.3 million cats expected to tag along.

Nearly 20 million people (37 per cent) say their holiday habits have changed this year, with pet ownership a key factor.

Younger pet owners are also shown to be more likely to bring their pet for a break away, with a third of 18-34 year-olds saying they would, compared to just four percent of over 55s.

Lorraine Price, head of motor insurance at Direct Line said: “This summer is set to see another boom for staycations as we pack up our cars and hit the road for well deserved holidays.

“We are certainly a nation of animal lovers, which is clear from the number of dog and cat owners who plan to pack their pets in the car when they set off this summer.

“Driving with pets can be stressful, so it’s worth spending time planning how they’re going to be safely secured and that there are plenty of opportunities for stops along the way if going on a long journey.”

Other results gathered from Direct Line revealed that a quarter of dog parents would feel uncomfortable leaving their canines behind.

A fifth (20 per cent) say their holidaying habits have changed since they got a dog and one in seven (15 per cent) wouldn’t normally take their pet on a UK holiday but will this year.

This table shows the results of how holiday habits have changed this year

Percentage of people whose holidays have changed due to this

  • All whose holiday habits have changed – 37 per cent
  • I wouldn’t normally go on a holiday in the UK but will this year – 35 per cent
  • I would feel uncomfortable leaving my dog with someone else while I went on holiday – 25 per cent
  • My holidaying habits have changed since I got a dog – 20 per cent
  • I wouldn’t normally drive on a UK holiday but will this year- 19 per cent
  • I wouldn’t normally take my pet on a UK holiday but will this year- 15 per cent
  • This year is the first time I’m planning on taking my dog on holiday – 9 per cent
  • My holidaying habits have changed since I got a cat – 9 per cent

If you’re planning a staycation with your dog but not sure where to go check out where the are the most dog-friendly places to visit.

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