The United States of America is the British public’s ‘dream holiday’ for next year, according to research conducted by price comparison and financial guidance platform.

The study of 2,000 British adults, commissioned by Forbes Advisor, asked Brits about their travel plans for the next 12-18 months, including their dream destinations, likely expenditure, and how they plan to fund their trip.

For this study, Forbes Advisor focused on long-haul flight locations to determine ‘dream destinations’, as opposed to more common European getaways, as two thirds (67%) of respondents stated they considered a ‘once in a lifetime’ holiday as a medium or long-haul journey (3-6+ flight hours).

The top 10 ‘dream holiday destinations’, the percentage of people who selected them, and the average cost of a trip to each destination* are:

USA: 19.8% / GBP2,322

The Caribbean (e.g. Barbados): 9.2% / GBP5,647

Canada: 8.3% / GBP2,088

Dubai: 6% / GBP2,181

Maldives: 5.2% / GBP2,625

Thailand: 5% / GBP1,485

Japan: 4.7% / GBP3,036

Hong Kong: 4.2% / GBP2,817

China: 4.1% / GBP1,027

South America (e.g. Brazil): 3.9% / GBP733

Kevin Pratt, travel and finance expert at Forbes Advisor, said, “There is clearly huge pent-up demand for once-in-a-lifetime overseas dream holidays, with so many Brits not having seen the inside of an airport for two years. Once the restrictions are removed, we can expect to see millions of people heading to far-flung destinations for sun, fun, adventure and relaxation.

“In all the excitement of planning a trip, it’s important to tick a couple of boxes to make sure everything goes smoothly. First, don’t spend more than you can afford – it might be tempting to splurge on the first overseas holiday for such a long time, but it’s important not to dip too deeply into long-term savings or to burn through a rainy day fund.

“Next, buying travel insurance is a no-brainer, and it’s important to get a policy designed to cater for potential problems arising from Covid-19, such as having to cancel because you fall ill with the virus before departure. And if you’re travelling beyond the confines of Europe, you need to ensure you’ve got ‘worldwide’ or ‘worldwide including North America’ cover as appropriate.

“Medical treatment in North America is more expensive than anywhere else, which is why travel insurance companies offer a separate category of policy for those heading there. It’s more expensive, but it’s a vital purchase. If you fall ill or are injured in North America and do not have insurance, the impact is likely to be financially ruinous.

“Travel insurance also provides liability cover in case you are sued for damages for causing injury, death or damage to property. Again, the litigious nature of North American society means anyone on the wrong end of a lawsuit could face massive costs, making cover a must-have.

“It’s also crucial to buy your policy the moment you book so that cancellation protection is there straight away.”