23 February 2024 , 10:15
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We are truly a nation of cuppa-holics... so much so that almost half of us pack tea bags for holidays abroad. Having our beloved brew brand in our luggage is the number one home comfort for overseas getaways, topping a poll on 49%.
Despite coffee culture being popular globally, some 38% of us will not leave the country without our favourite flavours. And more than a third of Britons abroad just can not do without their comfiest slippers on holiday. It also appears there is some truth in the trope that the British are averse to expanding their culinary horizons, with ketchup (16%), sliced bread (15%), cheese and onion crisps (10%) and even Pot Noodle (10%) making the top 20 travel must-haves.
The poll by travel firm TUI also found 56% of us feel homesick while on holidays, with 32% admitting they pack all manner of things because they like their creature comforts. Perhaps that is why one in 10 will take their childhood teddy bear with them on the plane, with the same amount making sure their hot water bottle comes along.
Phillip Iveson, commercial director of TUI, said: “This research shows just how much Brits love to take home comforts on holiday with them. That’s why we’ve decided to increase our luggage allowance for TUI Airways to 20kg as standard, and add an extra 5kg for guests staying at TUI BLUE, Holiday Village and A La Carte hotels. With all that extra weight to play around with, guests will have plenty of room to take along photos of their pets, a hearty number of teabags, and even a loaf or two of sliced bread.”
The survey reveals on average we pack five days before the holiday starts, with 26% always overpacking, to be on the safe side. But despite all our pre-planning, the study also revealed that on average we forget two essential items each holiday, with travel adaptors, phone chargers and toothbrushes the top three most left behind.
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TOP ITEMS BRITS INSIST ON PACKING FOR THEIR HOLIDAYS
- Tea bags – 49%
- Coffee – 38%
- Slippers – 34%
- Cotton buds – 28%
- An extra toothbrush – 27%
- Extra tubes of toothpaste – 25%
- Their own pillow – 22%
- Umbrella – 20%
- Travel iron – 20%
- Emergency sewing kit – 20%
- Ketchup – 16%
- Sliced bread – 15%
- A collection of their favourite books – 13%
- Their favourite cereal – 12%
- Their favourite squash – 11%
- Pot Noodles – 10%
- Their childhood teddy bear – 10%
- A hot water bottle – 10%
- Their journal – 10%
- Cheese and onion crisps – 10%
- Kettle – 10%
- Cheddar cheese – 9%
- Salt and vinegar crisps – 9%
- Rich tea biscuits – 9%
- Salt and pepper – 8%
- Yeast spread – 8%
- Stock cubes – 8%
- Pictures of their friends and family – 8%
- Their favourite blanket – 7%
- Chilli powder/hot sauce – 7%
- A picture of their pet – 7%
- Brown sauce – 7%
- Marmalade – 6%
- Their favourite mug – 6%
- Tinned soup – 5%