WHO loves the beach the most?
A study by online travel agency Expedia revealed that 49 per cent of Germans
would pick beach getaways as their preferred vacation, while only a small
number of Singaporeans were on the same page with them on this.
Even if the 18 per cent of Singaporeans were heading for a beach holiday,
they would steer clear of the sun, according to the 2012 Flip Flop Report,
which analysed the behaviour and preference among beachgoers around the world
and involved over 8,000 travellers in 21 countries.
Compared to a global average of 53 per cent, only 26 per cent of Singaporean
respondents said they enjoy sunbathing while on a vacation.
The most popular beach activity for Singaporeans is no activity at all, as
more than half of Singaporean respondents said that 'relaxing' is their
favourite beach activity.
But when it comes to spa treatments and massages, Singapore has the highest
number of wellness-minded spa lovers among those surveyed worldwide and are
likely to indulge in treatments when on a beach getaway.
Chief executive of AirAsiaExpedia Dan Lynn attributed Singaporeans' priority
to relax when on holiday to their busy lives back home.
While other global travellers spend an average of close to eight days at a
beach, Singaporeans, however, prefer short getaways, spending only four days at
the beach, which is the lowest among countries surveyed.
>> Read full story here.
More than half (52%) of respondents plan to holiday at the beach in the next 12
months, compared to 45 per cent who said they took a beach vacation the year
prior.
For most beachgoers, the most popular activity is no activity at all. Relaxing
and sunbathing were among the top two activities for beachgoers across all five
continents.
Expedia’s Flip Flop Report revealed that beachgoers remain wary of sharks. Well
under 100 shark bite incidents are reported worldwide each year, making shark
encounters extraordinarily rare. Yet the menace prevails: 50% of travelers
consider the presence of sharks when deciding where to holiday, and a full 68%
of beach vacationers admit to having been afraid to swim because of sharks.
21. Singapore - 18%
Singaporeans were the second most wary of sharks at 67%, after the
Brazilians, when it comes to planning for beach vacations.
21. Singapore - 18%
31% of Singaporeans had spent beach time at the spa, versus 3% of the
Japanese and 5% of the Dutch.
20. Japan - 21%
Japanese were 14 times likelier to relax (28%) than exercise (2%), while
only 28% of them were likely to swim on the beach.
19. United States - 23%
Only 2% of American said they would sunbathe in the nude. [Above: Ocean
Drive at Miami Beach, US.]
19. United States - 23%
Americans are creatures of habit: one of the least important criteria for
Americans when selecting a beach location is the desire to find a new location.
18. Australia - 28%
New Zealanders (36%) and Australians (35%) were most likely to fish at the
beach. [Above: Bondi Beach, Sydney.]
