SCOTS will turn their back on holidaying at home this summer as their financial fortunes improve and they get ready to jet off to the sun, according to a report.
Improved economic times have left families better able to fund a getaway to warmer climes when this year's holiday season rolls round and they are shunning UK staycation breaks, a survey says.
The growth in overseas travel is also likely to be a response to the winter's run of dismal rainy weather, with television screens saturated with images of flooded fields, days of downpours and people being hauled through streets in boats after being rescued from their homes.
However, a large exodus of holidaymakers will be a blow to Scotland's tourism industry, which has profited greatly from the number of people taking breaks at home in recent years rather than going abroad.
The BDRC Continental's Holiday Trends 2014 found the number of people holidaying within the UK is expected to drop this year to its lowest level since 2010.
More than three-quarters of the 1000 people who took part in the survey said they were setting their sights on foreign lands this summer, an increase on the 73% who planned a foreign holiday last year and 66% in 2012.
Overall, Scotland's share of the "staycation" market is expected to drop from 7% to 4%.
The survey, which was compiled in January, said the unpredictable UK weather had convinced many people to escape to warmer climes, while increased job security and higher financial confidence are also playing a role.
Nearly a quarter of those surveyed said it was very unlikely they would lose their job this year, up from a fifth for the last two years. These factors are likely to have contributed to firmer intentions to take a holiday, as well as to 'upgrade' to more expensive overseas trips.
Jon Young, associate director at BDRC Continental, said: "Following our wettest January in 250 years, it is no surprise UK 'staycation' intentions have fallen, although what is surprising is the rate - at 45% for 2014 compared to highs of 56% in 2013 and 58% in 2012.
"The key difference this year looks to be the increase in predicted main holidays abroad at the expense of domestic breaks.
"Our research reveals this is driven primarily by the higher social grades upgrading to overseas trips, likely to be the result of increased financial confidence."
London is the one area of the UK that will continue to attract domestic visitors, with bookings said to be up for the second consecutive year.
Mr Young added: "Importantly for UK attractions and accommodation providers, holiday bookings are becoming more last minute, and Britons are still open to the idea of holidaying in the UK.
"Hopefully, with an improvement in the weather, the rest of the UK will increase in its appeal as a holiday destination."
Mike Cantlay, chairman of tourism agency VisitScotland, said: "According to the Great Britain Tourism Survey, trips to Scotland by British residents between January and October last year generated nearly £2.5 billion for the Scottish economy - a 2.5% increase on the year before.
"While we do not yet have any official figures for 2014, a study at the end of 2013 revealed British residents were more likely to visit Scotland over the next 12 months than in the previous year.
"This is not surprising in a year that Scotland welcomes the world with Homecoming, the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles."
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