25 REASONS WHY THE WELSH HATE THE BEACH

25 REASONS WHY THE WELSH HATE THE BEACH

RUBBISH floating on the waves, seagulls nicking your food, other people’s music blaring out and Millennials posing for selfies are among Wales’ worst beach nightmares.

Sand getting everywhere, people playing ball games right next to you and salesmen flogging local crafts also ruin our beach holidays.

And according to new research, a quarter of Millennials aged 25-34 say they spend FIVE HOURS a day on the beach updating social media rather than enjoying the scenery.

A survey by Atomik Research for Travel Republic’s beach hacks website

shows:

* Having to leave valuables on show, other beachgoers setting up camp right next to you and sand getting stuck in your sun cream are among Brits’ top 10 beach hates

* 23% of Millennials spend over five hours on social media on the beach

* 70% of men compared with 54% of women still say a beach holiday is their favourite break.

Women had more gripes than men about the beach, with their top three moans being litter (61%), nowhere to leave valuables (46%) and people shaking sandy towels over you (40%).

Brits’ top three demands for better beaches are proper showers and changing rooms (45%); waterfront bars (35%) and comfier sun beds (35%).

And we also want children-free zones, a ban on salesmen, free Wi-Fi, parasols with built-in phone chargers and a call button in sun beds to summon a waiter.

Millennials are the most self-obsessed age group on the beach, spending an average of three hours updating social media.

This compares to an average of 1.9 hours for 18-24-year-olds and 1.6 hours for 35-44-year-olds.

Travel consumer expert Frank Brehany said: “On my recent trip to a beach I was particularly struck by groups of young people in their 20s unable to prise their mobile devices from their hands, even when they are in the sea!

“Whilst we were surrounded by sand dunes, an azure sea and acres of pine forests, the silent tapping and squinting was all too evident.

“People at home don’t want to be updated every 10 minutes – break the habit and go digital free because your holiday experience will be all the richer for engaging in those delicious surroundings.”

Despite the grumbles, over a third (35%) of those in Wales take a beach holiday once a year, with 3% saying they go once a month.

And 47% of those Wales surveyed said they would still prefer a beach holiday over a city break – despite the downsides.

Travel Republic has launched a beach hacks website to help Brits enjoy their time on the beach more.

Tips include hiding valuables in a nappy, cutting a lime in half and stuffing it with cloves to keep wasps and bugs away and using a fitted bed sheet to mark out your territory.

There are also tips to help kids at the beach – such as blowing into a balloon to get rid of sea water in the ears and how to create a makeshift paddling pool.

Mr Behany said: “The Travel Republic survey certainly rings a lot of bells – in particular people parking themselves next to you when there are so many spaces nearby, to being able to enjoy different zones on the beach to suit your mood.”

A Travel Republic spokesman said: “This research has shown that, whilst Brits enjoy going to the beach it is far from idyllic, with beachgoers facing many annoyances due to sand, overcrowding and a lack of facilities.”