British kids favour costas over UK coast

One in ten five to 12-year-olds have never visited a British beach, according to a survey by hotel chain Travelodge.

The poll of 2000 children in the age range showed that more of them had visited European coastal destinations than UK ones and many were clueless as to where some UK beach resorts were on the map.

More than a quarter didn't know where Brighton was with a large chunk of them thinking it was on the west coast while 17% of the polled kids thought Blackpool was in the south. Some 40% had no idea where Eastbourne and Torbay were and 15% couldn't tell you where Cornwall was. Bournemouth tourist bosses will be disappointed to hear that 27% of young people had never even heard of their town. Weymouth? A woeful 38% didn't know which direction to head for if asked to travel there and 30% had not a clue where to find Skegness.

Responses from the kids showed that they were much more in tune with foreign beach resorts with 78% of them owning a passport, 57% saying they had visited Spanish coastal resorts and 54% having been to France. Only 39% had visited Scotland.

Visitbritain chief executive Tom Wright said: "Travelodge's research highlights it's vital that we make children aware of the fantastic destinations on their own doorstep. As the next generation of travellers, we have to encourage their appreciation of a British holiday and ensure the future success of our industry." By Dinah Hatch Travel Mole website.

Published: 30.7.2008