Long-haul destinations 'becoming more interesting to Brits'

British travellers are becoming increasingly interested in long-haul holidays, according to a new survey.

Research by private bank Cater Allen found that only 26 per cent of Brits want to take holidays in Europe this year, with 63 per cent showing a preference for more distant destinations outside the continent.

More than a quarter (26 per cent) of respondents said they want to explore somewhere "off the beaten track", while 22 per cent said they would like to take a holiday in the mountains.

Nearly 70 per cent said they were put off mainstream destinations by crowds of tourists and 51 per cent said they were attracted to unspoilt locations.

Sally Ann Watts, head of marketing at Cater Allen, said: "This research shows that Britons are moving away from traditional holidays and becoming aspirational in their holiday choices."

While 55 per cent of people said they considered it important to experience local culture, six per cent said they simply wanted to visit an exotic destination before their friends and family.

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