Jules Verne survey finds travellers would take their phones on holiday over friends & family

See the world, don’t screen the world!

New survey by Jules Verne finds travellers would choose to take
their phones on holiday over their friends or family

There is no denying that advances in technology are simplifying many areas of modern-day life. From making it easier to stay in contact with friends and family, and keeping on track with your new diet, to learning new languages and possibly even meeting your life partner, mobile phones are an essential part of many people’s everyday existence.

But are we becoming too dependent on technology and potentially missing out on what’s right in front of us?

New research*, commissioned by Jules Verne (www.vjv.com) has found that, even when we’re on our holidays, we cannot bear to be parted from our phones. The survey, which asked Brits what they’d usually do first when arriving on holiday, found that nearly half (47%) of 18-24 year olds would check in on social media.

This is perhaps not surprising, however they are not the only age category that seems unable to take a break from technology. When asked to pick only one item to accompany them on holiday, respondents in all age categories chose their phone over a friend or family member – a total of 37% of respondents overall, compared to 20% who said they would prefer to take their loved ones along!

36% of respondents overall said they would call home to let friends or family know they had arrived safely – which is something at least – although this was the fourth most popular answer, after exploring, checking in on social media and having something to eat or drink.

The research also found that, whilst we do use our phones less on holiday, many Brits still struggle to keep away from them for long: on average, people check their phone every 122 minutes, which drops to every 290 minutes while on holiday. Many respondents said that this screen time is spent on practical tasks, such as capturing special memories and moments (69%) and using maps to find local sites (46%), and that they are twice as likely to look for things to do on holiday by searching online than to ask hotel staff for recommendations. Travellers in the 55+ age bracket are the most likely to start exploring as soon as they arrived at their holiday destination.

Just over one in ten (14%) admitted that they feel technology takes the spontaneity out of holidays, while almost a fifth of respondents (19%) have experienced an unwelcome surprise on their return, in the form of unexpectedly high mobile phone bills.

Says Francis Torrilla, Managing Director at Jules Verne:

“ When commissioning this survey, we were expecting to find that technology plays a significant role in people’s lives, however we were really surprised by the extent to which this is the case, with almost 40% of respondents choosing to take their phone on holiday over their partner or friends.Technology is great, and most of us wouldn’t be without it, but we also need to remember to take time away from all of life’s pressures. Travelling is the best time to break that habit… with so much to see and experience on our trips, it’s the ideal opportunity to put your phone down, and see what a huge difference that makes to the enjoyment of your holiday.”

Offering short breaks, long-haul stays and multi-centre itineraries to 106 countries spanning Europe, Africa, Asia Pacific and The Americas, Jules Verne offers a tempting array of ‘get away from it all’ holidays that range from relaxing river and coastal cruises, spectacular rail journeys and unforgettable grand tours to trips created with a particular focus on history, art and culture, or wildlife. Travelling in small escorted groups led by expert guides who showcase the true character of a destination, whether closer to home or far-flung, Jules Verne clients are assured of authentic travel experiences with a twist.

Fully ABTA and ATOL bonded, and winner of many travel awards, Jules Verne’s expert staff organise every detail, ensuring that clients can book in complete confidence. This commitment is further reinforced by Jules Verne’s 100% Price Guarantee; the holiday price is fixed when clients book and will remain so, even if Jules Verne’s costs increase subsequently.

* Research carried out online by Vital Research & Statistics, between 28 November and 4 December 2018, of a sample comprising 2,000 adults across the UK.                                                             

Press: For more information on Jules Verne, contact Karen Carpenter at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 or email k.carpenter@travelpr.co.uk.