Even looking forward to a sunny getaway during the winter cannot take Brits' minds of the economic downturn, according to a new survey.
Research by financial and leisure services firm greenbee.com discovered that the malaise in the markets is worrying a third of holidaymakers. Some 17 percent are worried that their travel operator may go under as a result of the crisis, while the same amount are concerned about the sterling's continuing decline.
There have been reports that Brits going on holiday have been buying euros for about a pound each, once charges have been taken into account. The research revealed that Scots were the least likely to be worried about this, with those in the south-east and London the most concerned.
However, the firm also found that budgetary constraints may be causing people to forego travel insurance. More than a third did not consider it to be essential and 12 percent reported that they never buy it.
James Furse, greenbee.com managing director, warned that, while using a credit card will offer protection in the result of an operator going bust, there is no substitute for travel insurance.
"If the worst happens on your overseas break and you're not insured, you could potentially be left with a hefty bill running into hundreds or thousands of pounds. Travel insurance should be seen as a holiday essential rather than an unnecessary expense," he said.













