The Cost of a Washed-Out Holiday – Brits Spend £6.5 Billion on Rainy Holiday Activities
In the half-term break when many UK families head off on holiday, new research has revealed that bad weather could be costing as much as £6.59 billion, as holidaymakers turn to alternative activities when the rain, wind and cold set in.
The study, commissioned by City of Dreams Mediterranean, a luxurious five-star resort in Cyprus, polled 2000 UK adults and found that the average additional spend during poor weather reaches £218 per person. One in ten admitted to spending from £251 up to £500, while 7% say they’ve racked up between £501 and £1,000 in extra costs on entertainment, dining out, shopping and indoor leisure activities on holiday.
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When the weather turns gloomy, cultural attractions such as museums, galleries and aquariums top the list of rainy-day destinations, with 44% of Brits who’ve had bad weather on holiday seeking shelter there. Eating out comes a close second (39%), followed by a spot of shopping (37%).
And true to British fashion, many choose to make the best of it with a drink in hand, with around a third (31%) heading to the pub when the heavens open.
The research also revealed that nearly half (48%) of adults said that bad weather had ruined a holiday, while 20% admitted it caused arguments and 31% had to cut short their trip due to the elements.
Weather forecasts provide little consolation, with 51% of holidaymakers saying they’ve packed for a holiday according to the forecast only for it to be wrong, and 17% reporting that the most frustrating part of a rainy holiday was seeing that the weather was better at home.
Speaking about the findings, Grant Johnson, Property General Manager of City of Dreams Mediterranean, said:
“”It is so disappointing when a holiday is spoiled by bad weather, and even worse, our research shows it can cause friction, arguments and leave people seriously out of pocket. At this time of year, bad weather can strike anywhere, not just in the UK, so why gamble on the rain? Our Sunshine Guarantee offer is a commitment to ensuring our guests have the best holiday, in the best possible weather, or they’ll get a free stay on their return visit.”
Emily Rose, a UK holidaymaker added: “It’s so much easier to find things to do when it’s sunny and I find we spend a lot less because we’re just at the beach or by the pool.
“Yes, we’ve definitely had arguments because of the rain on holiday,” she added, “mainly due to being cooped up inside. It’s happened to me overseas too. We visited Cuba and were hit by a hurricane on the first night. I’ve never seen rain like it. The irony was that the weather was better back in England!”
Sunshine Guaranteed at City of Dreams, Mediterranean
With almost 340 days of sunshine a year, Cyprus is a leading winter sun destination. City of Dreams Mediterranean is putting its weather where its mouth is, offering one complimentary night for each day the sun doesn’t shine.
Guests who book directly with the Sunshine Guarantee offer can also enjoy 10% off for a minimum of three nights and receive a €100 complimentary voucher to use at any of the resort’s restaurants, bars, spa, or casino. This offer applies to bookings made until 30 November 2025, for stays from 16 October to 18 December 2025.
Sunshine Guarantee Definition:
“Sunshine” is defined as a day with at least 70% direct sunlight between 09:00 and 17:00.
Measurement is based on proprietary data from AccuWeather.com, with a weather calendar updated weekly.
