Crisis-hit Europeans freeze summer holiday plans
A worker steers a boat and a pontoon on the Limmat River during sunny spring weather in Zurich May 14, 2012. — Reuters picMILAN, May 25 — Europeans are putting holiday plans on the back burner this summer as the crisis hits “sun belt” economies in Greece, Spain and Italy, a study showed yesterday.
Only six of 10 people polled by Ipsos for Europ Assistance said they were planning to go on holiday between June and September this year, the lowest level in eight years.
The estimate compares to 66 per cent in 2011.
Italians were the most reluctant to travel despite their usual long holiday season, with 63 per cent willing to leave compared to 78 per cent last year.
Spaniards were second in the poll, with more than half saying they will remain at home.
France is the only exception to the gloomy picture, with 70 per cent of respondents preparing for a summer break against 68 per cent last year.
The survey polled 3,500 people, including Germany, Britain, Belgium and Austria. — Reuters
