Data published on Wednesday (1 March) by travel insurance firm AllClear shows that only 37% of travellers with an underlying condition regard safety as an important factor when booking a holiday. 

This is down from 58% in 2021 while the percentage of people prioritising price has gone up 18% over the past 12 months. 

“It is understandable that travellers are looking to save money during these difficult times, but sacrificing safety for savings is a dangerous idea,” said AllClear chief executive Chris Rolland.

“Safety needs to sit among people’s primary considerations when planning a holiday this summer, alongside cost and destination.” 

The current crunch in living standards is also impacting travel insurance coverage, as the number of vulnerable travellers without one has gone up 10% in the space of two years.

“Cutting corners, or worse going without, is a false economy that could result in medical emergency bills stretching into the tens of thousands of pounds or more,” Rolland added.