UK consumers' holiday spirit up despite downturn: Thomas Cook

A new survey commissioned by Thomas Cook has revealed that foreign holidays are the most important expenditure for UK consumers in 2010.

According the survey of 2,000 consumers conducted by YouGov, foreign holidays top the rest of the items of expenditure such as eating out, home improvements, clothes etc.

Ian Derbyshire, chief executive Thomas Cook UK and Ireland, said the research had proved, foreign holidays remained sacrosanct to the British public even during a recession.

He added that Thomas Cook fully recognised the great importance the UK consumers attach to their holiday and that was the reason the company was helping its customers do more without spending more.

He said that Thomas Cook was going one step further offering holidaymakers booking in January, a discounted 14-night holiday package priced for 11- nights.

He added the company had also launched new hotels and flight routes, more all-inclusives, introduced water park-themed resorts, new soccer and stage academies, and increased the range of affordable luxury accommodation.