Article
Jet2CityBreaks reveals the most common city break traits
Published: Mon 25 Sep 2023 at 11:40
The most common city break traits have been revealed and include the ‘backpack Brit', the 'try hard tourist', and the 'super scheduler'.
A poll of 2,000 adults, who have been on a city break before, revealed 13 per cent consider themselves a ‘free and easy’ traveller – who wanders about with nothing more than a pair of sunglasses when on holiday.
A further 16 per cent voted themselves as a true culture vulture – soaking up everything ‘real’ around them.
While 43 per cent, when on a city break, do their best to try and not look like an obvious tourist. A spokesperson for Jet2Citybreaks, which commissioned the research, said: "There are always certain traits that people inherit when they go on a city break, depending on their personality type.
“Everyone travels differently, with some people wanting to plan every last detail of their trip while others are more spontaneous and will just go with the flow.
“With this in mind, when you go away with someone it’s important you either have similar values, or make sure your companion’s traits mesh well.
“For example, if you’re someone who loves food but isn’t great on details, go with someone who loves to plan – that can book the finest restaurants months in advance.”
Just over four in 10 (42 per cent) respondents believe accidentally getting lost is the best way to discover a new city.
And while just 17 per cent are more than happy to look like a tourist when they go away, 40 per cent reckon they can always spot other non-locals when they travel.
The top thing that makes people look like a tourist is having a camera hanging around their neck (53 per cent).
This is followed by those who stop in the middle of the street to consult a map or their phone for directions (50 per cent), or people who constantly take selfies (47 per cent).
Just under four in ten (38 per cent) think another surefire way to spot a tourist is how long it takes them to count out currency while paying for things.
And 35 per cent believe that a person in shorts while the locals are in jumpers and trousers is also a big tourist giveaway.
The average adult plans in three activities per three-night city break they take, and eats five meals out, according to the OnePoll.com figures.
They’ll rack up six miles on foot each day and spend £213 on attractions and sightseeing – and £270 on food.
It was also revealed the top three cities, people would most like to visit on a city break were Venice, Florence, and Iceland’s Reykjavik.
A Jet2Citybreaks’ spokesperson added: “A European city break in a destination you have not visited before allows you to scratch that wanderlust itch in just a few days.
“While most of us like to blend in with the locals when abroad, it is all too easy for us to look like tourists when we are exploring a new city - whether that is getting lost, not being familiar with the currency or taking too many selfies, but that is all part of the fun of a holiday.
“Our study found that the demand for city breaks is a strong as ever, and just looking at that top ten list of where people want to go really whets the appetite for adventure.”
TOP CITY BREAK PERSONALITY TYPES:
- ‘Super Scheduler’ – every minute of every day is planned to maximise the sights that can be seen
- ‘Culture Vulture’ – obsessed with the culture and soaking up everything around you
- ‘Chameleon Character’ – blending in with the locals and trying not to look like an obvious tourist
- ‘Free and Easy’ – travelling super light with nothing more than a pair of sunglasses
- ‘Foot Soldier’ – refusing to use public transport or taxis because you get a much better feel for a new city by walking around
- ‘Foodie Fanatic’ – every plan ends with food and is only happy on a full stomach
- ‘Backpack Brit’ – carrying everything I might possibly need with me, from lip balm to four different currencies
- ‘Try Hard Tourist’ – taking photos at every single landmark, including the obvious ones like ‘holding up’ the Leaning Tower of Pisa
- ‘Lost Cause’ – never finding your way to the place you’re actually trying to get, and getting lost at least twice a day
- ‘Stubborn Mule’ - refusing to ask for help or directions, trying to speak the language, using the public transport
TOP 10 CITIES UK ADULTS WANT TO VISIT:
- Venice, Italy
- Florence, Italy
- Reykjavik, Iceland
- Barcelona, Spain
- Vienna, Austria
- Athens, Greece
- Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Paris, France
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Budapest, Hungary