According to research commissioned by the association, a further five million are expected to take time off to watch the Games on TV from home, while overall 40% of the British public are expected to take time off whether at home or abroad during the Games, which run from July 27 to August 12, one of the busiest times of the year for travel.
The research reveals that excitement or apathy about the Games is split fairly equally, with 31% saying that although they will not take time off during the Olympics they are excited about them, while a further 30% say they plan to ignore them. The poll also shows that generations are split when it comes to feeling excited about the Games. The most fervent Olympics fans are the youngest with 38% of 15-24 year olds saying they are excited about the Games, compared to 28% of over 55s.
The research also found that 12% of Brits say they are intending to go abroad specifically to avoid the Games and 9% are looking to go on holiday somewhere in the UK free from Olympics fever. The older generation appears to be the least keen on staying in the UK; with 22% of the over 65s intending to head overseas to avoid the Games and 18% of 55-64 year olds.
