Big-spending Brits 'tell holiday fibs'

UK holidaymakers are prepared to splash the cash and stretch the truth in order to impress their friends with tales of their break, according to new research.

About a quarter of travellers pay £300 extra on average for hotel and flight upgrades, among other things, that allow them to show off to their friends and family once they are back home, the survey by Halifax Travel Insurance revealed.

And when it comes to making the holiday seem better than it was, 3.4 million Britons opt to lie about the weather, the poll discovered.

Other popular holiday fibs were found to include those relating to clothing bargains, restaurants, losing weight and mingling with celebrities.

Paul Birkhead, senior manager of underwriting for Halifax Travel Insurance, commented: "Holidays have become the new Rolex or Porsche, a status symbol used to impress friends, family and colleagues.

"Many Britons even feel the need to tell tales of meeting Hollywood celebrities and rock stars to impress their friends."

Some holidaymakers may even be spending their breaks stressed out by work, as recent research from AlphaRooms.com found that 80 per cent of Britons worry about work-related issues when away on holiday.

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