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New research has shown that more holidaymakers from the United Kingdom are developing an appetite for more exotic destinations.

Only five years ago, 20 per cent of British travellers would have considered a long haul flight for their annual break, but the new survey has shown that this figure has risen to 25 per cent.

According to the new research, 23 per cent of holidaymakers would seriously think of travelling to a distant tropical island, with a trip to some ancient ruins, a cruise around the world or a backpacking tour around a country such as India coming in at 14 per cent. Backpacking was once thought to be the sole preserve of university students on a gap year, but as the price of air travel has reduced over time and backpacker travel insurance has become more affordable, more are choosing to holiday this way. Destinations like Peru, Morocco and Vietnam are popular, but locations in Europe such as Budapest are gaining on them.

The survey illustrates that holidaymakers have an unsurprising desire for luxury, but it also shows that there is a rise in adventurous activities also.

Of the people interviewed, 23 per cent said that they would be willing to go on a white water rafting trip, 17 per cent would love to race around a track in a sports car, and a brave 16 per cent would seriously consider taking a parachute jump.

Although the research has suggested more people are willing to be more adventurous with their holiday, it also showed that there is a worrying trend amongst Britons to go on holiday without the necessary inoculations. Another recent study showed that travellers neglected to get jabs for preventable diseases such as diphtheria and typhoid, needlessly exposing themselves to preventable illness.

Backpackers are prone to exposure of such diseases, especially if they choose to travel somewhere off the beaten track. The results of contracting such a disease or having an accident can be expensive; those without adequate backpacking travel insurance can expect to be hit with medicals costs, as well as a bill for repatriation to the United Kingdom.