British Holidaymakers Waste £144 Million A Year on Forgotten Holiday Items!

The UK’s sunshine enthusiasts have felt the burden of forgetting important items when they’re on holiday, after it was discovered that British holidaymakers waste an astonishing £144 million a year on forgotten holiday items.

A new survey has revealed that 53% of British households have admitted to forgetting an essential holiday item when they’ve jetted off abroad.

It was also revealed in the survey by compensation firm FlightDelays.co.uk that items of clothing (20%) were the most commonly forgotten items by Brits, followed by glasses and sunglasses (19%), phone chargers (13%) and toothbrushes (12%).

However, Brits evidently can’t cope without lost holiday items, as a staggering four fifths admitted to having to buy replacement items, setting them back £27.35 on average.

Clothes are not the only things that Brits are concerned about losing, with ten percent of respondents admitting to previously leaving behind or losing vital prescription medicines or contraception’s.

Forgotten items aren’t the only thing for Brits to be concerned about, as two thirds of British travellers admitted that they worry most about not locking doors and windows and leaving electrical appliances on in their home whilst they’re away on holiday.

Over a third (37%) of those surveyed revealed that they go on holiday twice a year, with the average holiday setting Brits back £836, but that’s not including their £408 of spending money to accompany them on their trip.

Recently the Office of National Statistics revealed just how much Brits love holidays, with UK residents making a staggering 12 million visits abroad in 2016.

Speaking on the survey findings, Steve Phillips of Flightdelays.co.uk, said: “Booking a holiday abroad can cost a heck of a lot, especially when you consider flights, hotels, insurance and entertainment for the kids.

“But imagine adding more money to that cost to replace items you’ve actually already got – how annoying!

“Although we can’t help you replace your forgotten holiday items, if your flight was delayed or cancelled, you could be entitled to compensation if your flight arrived or departed from an EU-based airport in the last six years.”

10 most commonly forgotten items

1. Item of clothing 19%
2. Glasses / Sunglasses 15%
3. Phone charger 13%
4. Toothbrush 12%
5. First aid items or medication 11%
6. Sun tan lotion 10%
7. Toiletries 10%
8. Female sanitary items 8%
9. Food / Snacks 6%
10. Swimwear 5%

Image Credit: istockphoto.com / LeszekCzerwonka (via Custard Online Marketing Ltd)