According to a new survey by Airbnb, Brits are more likely to have visited the Eiffel Tower than the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament, and more people have been to the Empire State Building than the Angel of the North.
The findings reveal it’s not just the main tourist attractions Brits are missing out on. Almost two-thirds of Brits (62 per cent) have never visited their local art gallery and over half (52 per cent) have never gone to their nearest museum. Brits are also twice as likely to go on a boat trip in a foreign city than at home.
As a nation, Brits are far more likely to engage their sense of adventure abroad (43 per cent), citing ‘complacency’ and ‘work commitments’ the main excuses for a lack of curiosity at home. ‘Prohibitive cost’ being cited by 18-24 year olds as the main reason for not getting out and about more to explore in their local area.
Brits do want to discover more about what’s on their doorstep, so long as it is in an authentic way. Close to one third (29 per cent) said they would jump at the chance for someone who could show them interesting new places close to home.
James McClure, General Manager for Airbnb Northern Europe said London is a thriving city with so much to explore, a true melting pot of culture and inspirational people. We should strive to inspire everyone to explore the city, not just those visiting from abroad but locals too, who might have only scratched the surface of everything London has to offer. Insider Guidebooks offer inspiration from the people actually in the know, providing tips and tricks to make exploring the city both accessible and fun, no matter what your passion.
