Survey: 57 percent of People Plan to Go on Holiday, 18 percent Will Stay at Home

Bratislava, 13 June (TASR) - A total of 57 percent of Slovaks plan to go on holiday this year, while 18 percent will stay at home and another 25 percent are still undecided, according to a representative survey conducted by Ipsos agency for Home Credit between 20 and 22 May on a sample of 1,035 respondents, TASR reported earlier this week. Among the respondents, 42 percent plan to take a holiday both in Slovakia and abroad, while 34 percent intend to travel exclusively abroad, with the Czech Republic and Croatia the top destinations. Roughly 22 percent intend to spend their holiday solely in their home country. Due to the conflict in the Middle East, a fifth of travellers from Slovakia have changed their originally planned destination. "The holiday plans of Slovaks are, of course, significantly affected by their incomes. In households earning more than €3,000 [per month], up to three quarters will go on holiday, whereas for low-income households, less than four out of ten will do so," said Home Credit analyst Jaroslav Ondrusek. "Residents of the capital city can most frequently afford a holiday both at home and abroad, while those with a vocational education tend to spend their summer exclusively in Slovakia," he explained. As confirmed again, holidaymakers stay longer on foreign trips than on domestic ones, with the largest group of Slovaks going abroad (45 percent) looking to spend 7-10 days there, while a fifth have chosen a stay lasting 11 to 14 days, and a quarter have opted for 4-6 days. Most holiday stays in Slovakia last 4-6 days (43 percent), while nearly a quarter have chosen 7-10 days, and 15 percent will enjoy just a weekend stay. As regards the costs of this year's summer holiday, 22 percent plan to spend between €500 and €1,000, while 16 percent are willing to shell out anywhere between €1,000 and €1,500. Amounts ranging from €1,500 to €2,000 and from €2,000 to €2,500 will be spent by 13 percent each. A bigger budget of more than €3,000 is planned by 14 percent of respondents, with a further 2 percent expecting more than €5,000. Comparing holiday costs on a year-on-year basis, 52 percent of people want to stay within the same range as last year. According to 29 percent, their budget for this summer will be higher, with 11 percent indicating a significant increase. Conversely, 19 percent of people expect lower expenditures. The primary source of financing consists of regular income (57 percent) or savings (52 percent), while a loan from a bank or other financial institution will be taken out by 3 percent of respondents, with 2 percent borrowing the funds from their family or friends. "Money for this purpose should instead be sought in one's own wallet, and it should definitely be planned well in advance by setting aside money from salaries or by saving over a longer period," recommended Home Credit ombudsman Miroslav Zborovsky. jrg/df/am