Press Room
Travel figures down but there is still a need to save.
Visits abroad fell by 15% in 2009, with many Britons opting for UK-based holidays. Business travel was hardest hit as UK residents shunned foreign travel in 2009 with visits abroad falling by 15%. Official figures have confirmed the picture of what many referred to as the "staycation" trend in 2009, as visits abroad fell at a record pace last year. The Office for National Statistics said the 15% drop from the year before to 58.6m was the biggest drop since records began in the 1970s. This all points to a greater need for those who do travel to adopt money saving initiatives such as a Global SIM to help control costs when away.
The main driver in the sharp drop was a fall in business trips, which fell by almost a quarter - while holiday trips declined by 15%. The confirmation of a slump in business travel chimes with reports of slower business and squeezed margins among big hoteliers such as well as embattled airlines. Those travelers using a standard UK network SIM will still be heavily hit by roaming charges whilst away and so a Global SIM can ease pressure on travel budgets for business or leisure.
With increasing pressure on travel figures the need to adopt a cost effective communication solution such as a global SIM has become more important than ever. With the Global SIM provided by 0044.co.uk users can avoid roaming charges and receive calls for free throughout European destinations that the budget airlines fly to. In long haul destinations the savings on a global SIM can be even greater.
Staying in touch by using your mobile in Europe and further afield can still cost a fortune if you are using a UK SIM instead of a global SIM. European roaming charges have decreased in recent years but you may still pay a premium to make a call and you'll certainly pay to receive a call if you haven't adopted a Global SIM to avoid roaming charges. Further afield it's even worse. Not only are you charged premium rates of up to £1.30 p min to make a call you are also charged to receive calls in excess of £1.00 per minute in long haul destinations. Using a global SIM solution from 0044 Ltd, the UK's leading global SIM card provider, can not only save money in EU countries. A global SIM means massive savings of up to 70% in long haul destinations.
Angus MacLeod, director of 0044 Ltd commented, "It's encouraging to see these increasing travel numbers as it indicates growing confidence in consumers and a desire to travel abroad. With travellers being more budget conscious post recession then the global SIM we provide is an ideal solution to control costs while abroad. Consumers are able to use the global SIM in Europe and the UK to receive calls from their contacts for free. Like many of the best ideas in life, our Global SIM service is simple. We aim to offer a solution to holidaymakers and business travelers worldwide so that they can remain in control of their budgets yet stay safe and in touch at the same time".