Brits Will Spend Money to Escape the January Blues

    LONDON, ENGLAND, January 19, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- New research from the online booking site looked into how people were cheering themselves up this January and the effects that certain purchases were having on their January 'smile factor'. Over 70% of consumers felt that having something to look forward to, such as a holiday, was the key to fighting the winter gloom, followed by 41% who voted spending time with family and friends was the best way to lift their spirits.

Whilst January sales purchases, such as clothes, home furnishings and gadgets continue on the high-street, only 4% see treating themselves to a luxury item as a good way to actually defeat that 'blue Monday' feeling, with a third (36%) of shoppers feeling immediately guilty afterwards. This compares to a third of consumers who see a holiday as an essential buy to start the year with a bang - approximately 8 in 10 (81%) say that splashing the cash on a getaway is the best way to feel long-term satisfaction and excitement.

Occupational Psychologist Laura Heathcock says: "January is a tough month for people as they head back to work, get used to the dark mornings and assess what the year ahead holds for them. It's interesting to see that having something to look forward to and focus your efforts towards, like a holiday, is the most effective in delivering that smile factor and raising energy and happiness levels after the New Year hump; compared to the short-lived effects of indulgences like a luxury purchase."

Sales frenzy
With sales on Expedia.co.uk reaching record-breaking highs last week, bagging a bargain seems to be perking Brits up out of their January blues. Brits have one of the highest holiday allowances in the world - with an average of 25 days - and are firmly committed to taking the full amount despite economic uncertainty. However, with 3 in 5 British holidaymakers expecting holidays to increase in price this year it appears that many people are taking advantage of the huge discounts on offer online this January, such as Expedia.co.uk's winter 40% off sale.

Andy Washington, Managing Director for Expedia in the UK & Ireland says "A holiday is a much-needed antidote to the stress and strains of modern day life and clearly the nation agrees, as Expedia.co.uk has seen its highest volume of sales ever last week and a third of our polled consumers see a holiday as an essential buy."

"By booking a holiday in January, people can take advantage of the huge discounts and savings available online, and give themselves something to look forward to with friends and family. Expedia.co.uk has just launched its winter sale, which includes savings of up to 40% on hotels and the chance to win back the cost of the holiday; giving travellers plenty to smile about this winter!"

Where Are Brits Dreaming of Going in 2012?
According to searches on Expedia.co.uk, discounted sunshine spots such as the Canary Islands, Dubai and Egypt, are within the top 10 holiday places people are dreaming of going to find warmer climes, and capitalise on the great deals available online to those destinations.

After an increase in hotel bookings to UK destinations last year on Expedia.co.uk, it seems Brits are also happy to rely on home soil to provide a cheap and cheerful break to kick off their New Year, as Britain tops the search chart for the second year running.

Top 10 Most Searched Destinations:

UK Breaks
Canary Islands, Spain
London
New York, NY (Manhattan)
Balearic Islands, Spain
Paris, France
Egypt
Las Vegas, NV
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Rome, Italy

Expedia.co.uk's 'smile campaign' offers people huge savings until mid-February, with a range of discounts and deals available to brighten those winter blues. Book online now to receive savings of 40% on hotels, double Nectar points and the chance to win the cost of the holiday back every day. Visit www.expedia.co.uk for more information on the discounts available.

About Expedia, Inc.
Expedia, Inc. is the world's leading online travel company, empowering business and leisure travelers with the tools and information they need to easily research, plan, book and experience travel. Expedia, Inc. also provides in-destination concierge service and activity desks for travelers. The Expedia, Inc. portfolio of brands includes: Expedia.com, hotels.com, Hotwire, Egencia (formerly Expedia Corporate Travel), Expedia Local Expert , Classic Vacations and eLong. Expedia, Inc.'s companies operate more than 70 global points of sale in more than 40 countries, with sites in North America, South America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. Expedia, Inc. is a component of the S&P 500 index. Expedia, Inc. partners with loyalty programme Nectar in the UK enabling its customers to collect 200 Nectar points on stand alone flight, hotel or car hire bookings and 1000 points on package purchases through www.expedia.co.uk. For more information, visit http://www.expediainc.com/ (NASDAQ: EXPE).

Expedia, Expedia.co.uk and the Airplane logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Expedia, Inc. in the European Union and certain other jurisdictions. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.  2012 Expedia, Inc.

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