The table shows the results of a survey which sampled a cross section of 100,000 people asking if they travelled abroad and why they travelled for the period 1994-98.

The table illustrates the reasons why people living in the uk travelled overseas between 1994 and 1998, while the bar charts shows the reasons they choose to visit during the period. Both the table and chart are based on a survey of 100, 000 people. Overall, holiday travel was far the most popular reason for going abroad each year, while the total number of overseas trips increased over the period. by a large margin the preferred travel destination was western Europe, which rose in popularity as travel to north America and other regions relatively low. In 1994, 15, 246 people surveyed travelled abroad on holiday, rising to 20, 700 in 1998. In contrast, only 3, 957 people travelled for business in the same year, followed by 3, 181, who visited family and friends. the total number of visits increased from 22, 072 in 1994 to 28, 828 in 1998. however, the number travelling for 'other reasons' stayed fairly constant at around 900 people. Visits to the most popular destination, western Europe, increased significantly from just under 20, 000 in 1994 to slightly below 25, 000 four years later. conversely, far fewer people travelled to other areas and north America. In 1998, the figures were approximately 2400 and 2300 people respectively, with visits to these regions having experienced relatively little growth over the period.