THE perfect beach for Scottish holidaymakers is a constant 25C, bans salesmen flogging local crafts, comes with free Wi-Fi, has parasols fitted with phone chargers and MUST be a location that looks good on Instagram.
New research shows nearly half (49%) of those surveyed in Scotland go on a beach holiday at least once a year, with more men (70%) loving a beach holiday than women (54%) – and when a quarter of Millennials hit the beach they spend over FIVE HOURS a day updating their social media profiles.
But the reality of a holiday by the sea means Brits have a whole range of beach bugbears, including sand getting in your food and phone, other people invading your territory and having nowhere to store your valuables.
A new guide to combating Scots’ beach nightmares shows why you should never head to the sea without a nappy, talcum powder and a fitted bed sheet.
A survey for Travel Republic’s beach hack’s website – https://travelrepublic.co.uk/
- Scots’ worst beach bugbears are litter (58%), sand going in your food (37%) and nowhere safe to leave your belongings when you go for a swim (31%)
- Forty-nine per cent of those surveyed in Scotland go on a beach holiday at least once a year, with 24% going just once a year, 11% going twice a year, 11% every other month and three per cent saying they go every month
- Nearly half (49%) of those in Scotland say they prefer a beach vacation over a city break
- A quarter (24%) of holidaymakers in Scotland visit the beach because it reminds them of childhood holidays and spend an average of 3.3 hours per day on the sand
- A quarter (23%) of Millennials aged 24-35 say they spend more than five hours on social media on the beach – and a third (35%) say free Wi-Fi makes the perfect beach
The survey shows that 18-24-year-olds spend an average of 1.9 hours per day updating social media on the beach, while those aged 35-44 are glued to their phones for 1.6 hours – and a third of Millennials say free W-Fi makes the perfect beach.
Men on average spend twice as long as women on social media when on the beach, with blokes spending two hours updating their profile compared to one hour for women.
When comparing men’s and women’s reasons for going to the beach, more men like that it is family friendly (28%), there are lots of sports activities (27%) and enjoy the atmosphere of people around them (18%). More women like the chance to relax and being able to dip in the cool water (60%) and the guaranteed sun (42%).
Women had more gripes about the beach than men, with the top five complaints being: Litter (61%); nowhere safe to leave belongings (46%); people shaking sandy towels over you (40%); other people sitting right next to you even though there is loads of room (40%) and sand in your food (38%).
Whilst a sandy beach is the ideal location for beachgoers across the UK, the sand is also their biggest pet peeve, with 25% grumbling about sand getting stuck on you when you apply sun cream, sand getting too hot to walk on (27%), people shaking their sandy towels at you (29%) and sand going in their food (33%) as their biggest beach annoyances.
Travel Republic’s beach hacks include storing valuables in a nappy – as nobody would think to look in one – removing excess sand from your feet with talcum powder and staking out your territory on the beach using a fitted bed sheet as well as more tips to make your beach holiday as relaxed as possible.
Travel expert Frank Brehany said: “The Travel Republic survey certainly rings a lot of bells, in particular people parking themselves next to you when there are so many spaces nearby, to being able to enjoy different zones on the beach to suit your mood!
“When I go to the beach I also enjoy being able to log-in to a resort’s wi-fi, but for many people, that either only feeds the addiction of being online, or worse, not being able to disconnect from the office.
“My recent trip to a beach certainly delivered many of the bonuses but also some downsides. I was particularly struck by groups of young people in their 20’s, unable to prise their mobile device from their hands, even when they are in the sea!
“We were surrounded by sand dunes, an azure sea and acres of pine forests, but the silent tapping and squinting was all too evident, which led to me to ask; why?
“Whilst it’s great to be connected, my advice is simple; people at home don’t want to be updated every 10 minutes, break the habit and go digital-free for 4/5 hours because your holiday experience will be all the richer for engaging in those delicious surroundings! Who knows, you might be able to strike off something from that holiday bucket list; then you’ll have something interesting to talk about?”
Those surveyed in Scotland said that, on average, 25C is the perfect temperature at the beach with 15% saying traditional fish ‘n’ chips is the perfect beach picnic.
When asked to pick an item that they could not go to the beach without, a quarter (26%) of holidaymakers from Scotland said a hat and glasses and 19% said they could not go without water and snacks – but seven per cent of Millennials said they would forsake all those for a selfie stick.
A spokesman for Travel Republic said: This research has shown that, whilst Brits enjoy going to the beach, it is far from idyllic, with beachgoers facing many annoyances due to sand, overcrowding and a lack of facilities.
“With an estimated 25m people* travelling abroad for a summer holiday this year, we created a guide of useful beach tips and hacks to help holidaymakers love holidays on the beach!”
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Top 25 beach bugbears
- People leaving litter behind/rubbish in the sea (58%)
- Sand going in your food (37%)
- Not having anywhere safe to leave your valuables if you want to go for a swim (31%)
- People shaking their sandy towel near to you (28%)
- People walking around and selling crafts (27%)
- Seagulls trying to steal your food (27%)
- When the sand gets too hot to walk on (25%)
- Other people blasting their music out (24%)
- People playing ball sports precariously nearby (24%)
- Getting sand stuck on you after applying sun cream (38%)
- Too windy, sending parasol and inflatables flying (23%)
- Not having anywhere private to change (22%)
- People sitting right next to you when there is the whole beach free (22%)
- Swallowing sea water (20%)
- People wearing inappropriate swimwear or lack of clothes for their age (19%)
- People bringing their pets to the beach (12%)
- Getting dodgy tan lines (12%)
- PDA (Public displays of affection) (11%)
- People dripping on you as you sunbathe (10%)
- People spending hours posing for the perfect selfie (10%)
- Forgetting where you’ve left your towel on the beach (8%)
- Not being able to get a sunbathing spot past 11am (8%)
- Getting all way to beach and realising you’ve forgotten your book/iPod/wallet etc. (8%)
- Children splashing water (7%)
- Being unable to see or use technology (5%)
Top 25 beach bonuses
- Clean toilets/showers and changing facilities (51%)
- Beach bar at the waterfront (44%)
- Comfy sunbeds / daybeds with cushions (36%)
- Lifeguards on patrol (36%)
- A ban on reserving sunbeds with towels (32%)
- Wooden walkways into the sea for when the sand gets too hot (29%)
- Free Wi-Fi (28%)
- Instagrammable location (e.g. amazing views) (28%)
- Ban on people trying to sell you crafty items (26%)
- Zones on the beach (e.g. kids, noisy, quiet, sports zones) (24%)
- Unlimited ice cream (20%)
- Free water sports (e.g. jet skis, wind surfing) (20%)
- A smoking ban (18%)
- A ‘call’ button for waiters to bring drinks/food (17%)
- Live music/entertainment (16%)
- Hammocks in the trees (15%)
- Street food vendors (14%)
- Phone charging points in parasols (14%)
- Free massages (13%)
- Ice machines (13%)
- Cold towels brought round for cooling off (13%)
- Complementary sun cream applied for you (12%)
- Something you can tick off a bucket list (e.g. swimming with pigs, playing with baby turtles) (11%)
- Remote controlled sunbeds and parasols (11%)
- Tech library available for loan (8%)
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