17th August 2004

Travelodge, the UK’s fastest growing hotel chain, reveals in a survey published today that lazy Brits are easily led by trendy attractions and are missing out on a wealth of great days out.

80% of the people questioned in the survey of 5000 respondents have visited less than 10 of Britain’s top attractions in the last ten years. What’s more, one in three respondents visit a UK tourist attraction less than once a year.

So why are Brits so unadventurous when it comes to visiting tourist attractions?

§ 62% of people surveyed said other tourists are the biggest deterrent, yet we still persist in visiting the most popular attractions
§ This incongruity is underlined by the fact that half the attractions in the top 20 are based in London, the world’s second most expensive and Britain’s busiest city
§ 77% of the Brits surveyed have never been to Oxford, 92% have never been to Nottingham, 74% have never been to Bath and 92% have never been to Newcastle
§ Over 200 respondents mentioned lack of pet facilities as a discouraging factor from visiting attractions, more than twice those that complained about poor kids’ facilities (90 respondents)
§ The weather was the highest rating deterrent proving Brits’ love of complaining about the weather, but with this year’s wet summer there has never been a better time to visit museums and galleries
§ Value for money was cited by close to two thirds of the sample as the most important factor when planning days out
§ Tourist attractions still are failing our disabled community and poor facilities deter many visitors

Travelodge wants to encourage the British public to take advantage of what makes Britain so unique. With a wealth of cultural and historical places on our doorstep, as well as stunning coastlines and countryside that can be enjoyed over a long weekend or short break, Brits should get out there and see more!

Travelodge has 246 hotels across the country with many in great city centre locations. Room rates start from £25 across the country (from £45 in central London) and you only pay for the room and not the number of people that stay within the room making value-for-money days out easy to plan. What about going on a day trip to Kew Gardens in Richmond, the Travelodge is just yards away, or Canterbury Cathedral where a Travelodge is just a few minutes away?

Travel expert Richard Trillo at the Rough Guides comments, "We recognise that whilst travelling at home may be a popular option, average hotel costs have become some of the highest in Europe. So we welcome Travelodge's continued emphasis on value for money and excellent low-price offers, and their useful locations, allowing travellers to get on with the fun of exploring unfamiliar towns and cities, whilst discovering the country's fantastic heritage".

Great deals can also be found at the central London Travelodge hotels from now until 10th September 2004. Travelodge is offering a free night stay at its central London locations which include Covent Garden, Liverpool Street, Park Royal, King’s Cross, Islington and Farringdon. The room rate is £45 for one night and the following night is free - for a family of four it’s fantastic value at £5.65 each per night. Bookings for this deal can only be made online at www.travelodge.co.uk/freenight must be pre-paid and made at least one full day in advance of stay. All stays must be taken by 12th September 2004.

All Travelodge bedrooms offer a comfortable setting with a luxury king size bed, en-suite bathroom, colour TV and free tea and coffee making facilities. There is a choice of bedrooms – double, disabled and family, with the latter catering for 2 adults and 2 children under the age of 16. To book go online at www.travelodge.co.uk or you can telephone on 08700 850950.

-ends-

Notes to editors
· Travelodge survey was conducted in August 2004 amongst 5000 respondents
· Travelodge room prices start from £25 per room, per night and £45 in central London (You only pay for the room and not the number of people that stay within the room) simply log on to www.travelodge.co.uk for more information
· Travelodge offers double, family and disabled rooms. A family caters for two adults and two children, both under 16 years. All rooms are en-suite, with luxury king size beds, colour TV and free tea and coffee making facilities.

· Travelodge currently has 248 locations throughout the UK

· Travelodge was the first UK low-cost hotel brand to launch in the UK in 1985.

· Travelodge offers an on-line booking service at www.travelodge.co.uk and also via telephone on 08700 850950.

· Top 50 locations are based on 2003 footfall figures from Visit Britain. For further information visit www.visitbritain.com

· Further quotes are available from Travelodge on request
For more information please contact Jodie Turner or Suzanne Price at Shine on
020 7553 3333 or jodie@shinecom.com / Suzanne.price@Shinecom.com

TOP 50 MOST POPULAR ATTRACTIONS
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
York Minster Fairlands Valley Park, Stevenage
London Eye
Edinburgh Castle
Tower of London
Natural History Museum, London
Science Museum, London
Windsor Castle
Roman Baths, Bath
St Paul's Cathedral, London
Windermere Lake Cruises, Ambleside
Stonehenge, Amesbury
British Museum, London
National Gallery, London
Westminster Abbey, London
Tate Modern, London
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Eden Project, St Austell
Legoland, Windsor
Canterbury Cathedral
Kew Gardens, Richmond
Chester Zoo
Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach
London Zoo
Poole Pottery
Chester Cathedral
New Metroland, Gateshead
Pleasureland, Southport
National Portrait Gallery, London
St Martin in the Fields, London
Drayton Manor Family Park, Tamworth
Eastbourne Pier
The Lowry museum, Salford
Tate Britain, London
Flamingo Land Theme Park, Kirby Misperton
Somerset House, London
The Deep, Hull
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow
Carsington Water Visitor Centre, Ashbourne
Dart Pleasure Craft, Dartmouth
Strathclyde Country Park
Upper Derwent Reservoirs, Bamford
Cannon Hill Park, Moseley
Flamingo Family Fun Park, Hastings
Moors Valley Country Park, Ashley Heath
Ashton Court Estate, Long Ashton
Bradgate Country Park, Newtown Linford
Crawfordsburn Country Park, Northern Ireland
Drumpellier Country Park, Coatbridge