Most Britons prefer to get out of the country

Britons are taking more holidays than they did in 1971, but for the first time more of them are abroad than at home, according to the Government's latest Social Trends survey.

According to the Office of National Statistics, British residents took 56 million holidays of four or more nights in 1998, a 36% increase on 1971. Around one-quarter now enjoy more than one break in the course of a year.

But in 1998, for the first time, the number of foreign holidays (at 29 million) outnumbered the number of domestic trips, which have stayed at about 27m over the past decade. Europe remains the most popular overseas destination, especially Spain and France, followed by the USA.

Back home, the West Country attracts the most stay-at-home holidays, accounting for 25% of all such breaks.

Scotland and southern England are the next most popular destinations, and Greater London and Northumbria the least, each accounting for just 2% of domestic holidays.