Survey: Slovaks Plan to Spend More Money on Easter Preparations This Year

Bratislava, 6 April (TASR) - Slovaks intend to spend more on Easter preparations this year than last, but over 63 percent of the respondents would rather use this money for something else, according to a representative survey conducted for 365.bank by Ipsos agency on a sample of 521 respondents in late March. The survey further showed that the number of people giving money to 'sibaci' (those who take part in the Easter whipping tradition) is declining. While last year almost three in four respondents planned to spend up to €100 on Easter preparations (including food shopping, preparing refreshments and treats for 'sibaci'), this year that figure has dropped to just under 57 percent. Last year, 44 percent of people planned to spend up to €50, whereas this year only 29 percent intend to do so. According to the survey, if Slovaks could use the money spent on Easter holidays differently, they would most often choose travel (41 percent), saving (36 percent), or extra household expenditures such as repairs or renovations (33 percent). One in three would prefer to spend the money on themselves, and almost one in four would invest it. "The survey suggests that Slovaks are aware that they could manage their holiday budgets more efficiently, with a greater focus on long-term benefits," commented Zuzana Blazeckova Janove of 365.bank. ko/df/mf