KIWIS PREFER ‘AU NATURALE’ WHEN PREPARING FOR A BEACH HOLIDAY
• Kiwis among most low maintenance beach holidaymakers globally
• Only 11% of Kiwis said they would wax in order to get beach ready
• 12% of Kiwis admit to going nude at the beach
Auckland, New Zealand, 09 June, 2016: As many Kiwis start getting ready for their northern hemisphere summer sojourns, Expedia.co.nz™ has released findings
from its annual Flip Flop Report, which confirms New Zealand is one of the most relaxed, low maintenance nationalities
in the world, when it comes to beach holiday habits.
The global report, which surveyed more than 11,000 travellers from 24 countries across the world, found New Zealanders
spend less getting beach ready than the global average. Kiwi beachgoers spend an average of $64 (US$43) getting prepped
for their seaside escapes - $25 (US$17) less than the global figure and well behind beachgoers from Mexico who spend
$131 (US$88), almost double what Kiwis spend.
While 56% of Kiwi beach-goers say they do nothing to get ready for a beach holiday, the most popular way New Zealanders
get prepared is by buying a new beach outfit/swimsuit. Only 11% of Kiwis say they wax to get beach-ready while more than
half of all respondents from Mexico, Brazil and Spain say this is top priority. Furthermore, less than one in ten (7%)
say they’d postpone a trip to get in shape, behind the global average of 11%.
Tasks to get beach readyNew Zealand beachgoersGlobal average New beach outfit 26%45%Workout16%24%Diet14%19%Get hair done12%18%Waxing11%20%
In favour of keeping things low key and relaxed on beach breaks, Kiwis prioritise easy-going activities such as walking
(58%); swimming (44%); watching the sunset/sunrise (35%); reading (37%) and people watching (30%). Kiwis are less
inclined than the global average to work (7% v 9%) or workout (8% v 16%).
Kiwis are also casual when it comes to beach attire, with 62% of respondents giving the humble speedo their tick of
approval and 39% saying they feel comfortable with nudists at the beach.
In fact, Kiwis don’t just approve, more than one in ten Kiwis (12%) divulge they have actually gone nude, a further 15%
say they have gone topless at the beach and 5% admit that they frequently go skinny dipping on beach holidays. Albeit,
Kiwis aren’t as liberal as Austrian (28%) or German (25%) beachgoers who say they have gone nude.
While 31% of Kiwis post pictures from their beach holidays on social media, only 7% say it’s because they want to boast
about how great they look in their swimwear and a mere 3% say they would post a nude selfie on social media.
Weighing in on Kiwi beachside travel habits, Expedia.co.nz travel expert, Kelly Cull, says: “Kiwis love to travel and
are passionate about finding the perfect beach holiday location that offers spectacular scenery combined with
affordability. Beach holidays present the ideal opportunity to recharge the batteries and it’s great to see Kiwis are so
free-spirited when on a beach break!”
ENDS