Travelling is a family necessity
ONE third of Irish people have travelled abroad in the past 12 months
to visit family and friends.
A further third has done so in the past five years. Men appear to be more
able or willing to travel abroad than women.
A total of 70 per cent of males have done so but almost four out of 10
females surveyed had not.
The figures by Seniors Money confirm that visiting loved ones overseas
is hugely important to Irish people.
Those aged between 25 and 34 are more likely to visit family and friends
abroad (42 per cent did so in the past year alone) than any other age
group.
This is probably due to having more time as well as plenty of disposable
income.
In years gone by when people emigrated connections with family and friends
were often lost unless they came home on a regular basis.
The new figures demonstrate people not only seeing each other more often
but also getting an insight into the lives of their family abroad.
Hundreds of thousands of people passed through airports in Britain and
Ireland over the Christmas period to join their families and friends. | 