Millions of Brits have taken a leaf out of the "I’m A Celebrity" book and are in search of a walk on the wild side when it comes to holidays.
Millions have caught the jungle adventure ‘bug’
Millions of Brits have taken a leaf out of the "I’m A Celebrity" book and are in search of a walk on the wild side when it comes to holidays. Research released today from Norwich Union Travel shows:
- Brits are happy to sample local cuisine and over half (58%) will munch on the more unusual witchetty grubs, cockroaches, snakes or grasshoppers
- UK travellers can do without their creature comforts including showers (47%), deodorant (47%) and toilet paper (27%)
- 34% of men and 20% of women said they would be happy to go without underwear
- 42% of the nation would like to give an adventure holiday a go including rainforest canopy walking and jungle camping.
Grubs up?
Like Carole Thatcher and Jilly Goolden a big majority of Brits (85%) think it’s important to try local dishes on holiday and 58% would do so even if it meant eating witchetty grubs, cockroaches, snakes or grasshoppers.
Nearly half (46%) of us would chomp on kangaroo, over a third (37%) would snack on snakes, a fifth (20%) would guzzle grasshoppers and 13% of people would wolf down Witchetty grubs.
Brits’ top bush tucker treats are:
- Kangaroo (47%)
- Snake (36%)
- Guinea Pig (23%)
- Grasshopper (20%)
- Ants (16%)
- Fish eyes (15%)
- Meal Worms (13%)
- Witchetty Grubs (13%)
- Cockroaches (7%)
- Yabbies (5%).
Creature comforts
It’s not just Sid Owen and Co who have an appetite for roughing it. Nearly half (47%) of Brits would happily do without a shower and the same number feel they don’t need deodorant, while a quarter (27%) say that they would get on fine without toilet paper! What’s more, three quarters (75%) of Brits say they wouldn’t even bathe in a jungle pool - perhaps like David Dickinson they too would take some cologne along to cover up the nasty whiff.
Walk on the wild side
Nearly half of Brits (42%) are keen to follow in the footsteps of the celebs on the ITV show and give adventurous activities a go. The most popular are:
- Rainforest canopy walking – like Ant & Dec
- Jungle camping – like all the celebs
- Abseiling – like Jimmy Osmond
- Bathing in a jungle pool – like Jenny Frost
- Skydiving – like Sheree Murphy.
Norwich Union Travel Insurance carried out the research to investigate trends in people’s holiday habits. Every year the insurance giant processes thousands of travel claims, from minor to major and from common to absurd - from falling from camels, to incidents on the Great Wall of China and sprains and strains whilst mountain trekking.
Dawn McMullan at Norwich Union Travel Insurance, said: “While shows such as I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here often prompt people to try out what they have seen on TV, it’s important to be aware of the risks involved and be properly insured.
“Kimberley Davies’ unfortunate accident highlighted the need to be aware of the risks involved in taking part in adventure activities and, of course, to be properly insured in case anything does go wrong. It can be the difference between a minor drama and a major crisis.”
Norwich Union’s top tips for staying safe in the jungle:
- Check with your doctor whether you need any vaccinations at least 6 weeks before you travel. (Travel Assistant service in NU travel policies can also do this)
- Make sure you’re fit and healthy before you go so you can cope with the physical challenges
- Travel light – trawling through the jungle is hard work and so only take the essential clothes including supportive foot wear and a light weight rain coat
- Don’t forget to bring a first aid kid in case of accidents, mossie repellent, boots to keep your feet covered, tummy tablets (eating witchety grubs!)
- For those going "down under", the sun and its UV rays are particularly dangerous and so make sure you cover up with sun block, sun glasses and sun hat and try and stay out of the rays between 11am and 3pm
- Swot up! Before you leave, read up on the creatures with a nasty streak and what to do if you’re bitten
- Use an insect repellent, and keep your arms and legs covered if there’s a chance of being bitten – follow the precautions on avoiding malaria. Animal bites can lead to serious – and even fatal – infections
- If you are bitten or stung try and take a photograph of the animal so you get the appropriate treatment, in particular spiders, snakes. Seek immediate medical attention
- To reduce risk of DVT on long flight, do some simple exercises – rotate your ankles and wiggle your toes – and get up and walk around if you can. Stay hydrated with regular non-alcoholic drinks
- Don’t forget to get appropriate travel insurance.
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Media contacts:
Matt Buchanan at Lexis PR on 020 7908 6573 or 07766 914 746
Rebecca Holmes at Norwich Union Press Office on 01603 354 346 / 07800 690731
Adam Cracknell at Norwich Union Press Office on 01603 684916 / 07800 699517
Notes to editors:
Norwich Union commissioned ICM to conduct research amongst 1,000 adults across UK between 30 November and 1 December 2005.
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(Figs as at Dec 2005)
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