Things that make you go 'urgh' - Direct Line unveils the nations' list of holiday horrors

• 77 per cent say that dirty linen is their worst holiday nightmare
• 70 per cent of travellers can’t stomach bad food on holiday
• 31 per cent think leaving towels on sunbeds at the crack of dawn is poor holiday etiquette
• Rain only ranked 8th in list of holiday horrors
   

A study of UK holidaymakers has revealed the top holiday horrors Brits worry that they may face when taking their well earned breaks this year.

Top of the ‘Urgh’ list is the prospect of dirty bed linen and bath towels, with 77 per cent of people fearing a close encounter of the mucky kind to put them off their relaxation.

The prospect of having to eat poor quality or poorly prepared food is enough to turn 70 per cent of holiday makers off their trip, perhaps worrying that they will be spending too much of their holiday either going hungry or in the bathroom as a result of ‘gastric issues’ brought on by poor food hygiene.

Perhaps surprisingly, only one in three (31 per cent) find the holiday cliché of towels being placed on sunbeds at the crack of dawn their idea of holiday hell.

It would seem that we are less worried about the weather than we may like to let on, as rain was only ranked as eighth in the list of hellish holiday experiences. This is perhaps an indication that Brits are now so accustomed to wet weather that we have given up worrying about it, especially with 2012 being the second wettest year on record.

Despite nearly half saying that it is a worry, delayed flights fall outside the top five, behind drunk and noisy neighbours, building work near the hotel and pushy reps.

Tom Bishop, head of travel insurance at Direct Line said: "We put a lot of thought, effort and money into our annual breaks, so it’s not surprising that we expect the hotels, guest houses, restaurants and travel companies to put the same amount of effort in. Once you arrive on your holiday, if there is any aspect of it that you are unhappy with, don’t be ‘typically English’ – make sure you get something done about it."

The top five potential holiday horrors identified by the study are:

1. dirty bed linen / bath towels (77 per cent)
2. drunk / noisy neighbours late at night (72 per cent)
3. building works by accommodation (72 per cent)
4. poor quality food at hotel (70 per cent)
5. being hassled by reps to go on excursions (51 per cent)

Customers purchasing an annual travel insurance policy with Direct Line, between now and the end of April 2013, will receive a completely free night away at a UK hotel for themselves and someone special.

Tom Bishop, head of travel insurance at Direct Line comments: "We know our customers are pressed for time and are looking to stretch their holiday budgets as far as possible. This is why our ‘One Night Free’ gift is the perfect way for our customers to make the most of their money and their spare time."

Once customers have taken out their annual travel insurance policy they will be issued with instructions on how to claim their ‘One Night Free’ gift. Once the gift has been claimed, Direct Line will issue a directory of participating hotels and a unique reference number to quote when booking the free night.

Terms and conditions

• Offer is available for new business Annual Travel Insurance quotes obtained between 05/04/13 - 30/04/13 which are subsequently purchased and held for a minimum of 14 days.
• Customers need to respond to their invitation to claim within 30 days, but the One Night Free offer is valid until 30th September.
• Go to http://faqs.directline.com/terms/disclaimers/travel-insurance-offer for full terms and conditions.
   

- Ends -

Notes to editors

For further information please contact:

Claire Foster 
PR Manager 
Direct Line 
claire.foster@directlinegroup.co.uk 
0208 285 8682 
07900 217 264

• Opinium Research carried out an online survey of 2,004 UK adults aged 18+ from 22nd  to 26th March 2013. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria. www.opinium.co.uk

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales no 1179980. U K Insurance Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0845 246 3761 or visiting