Television personality and Sunday Times Best Seller Charlotte Crosby has been spotted sporting a unique 'book jacket' designed to help holidaymakers bring their beach reads on vacation. The quirky outerwear, launched by online travel agent loveholidays, features an impressive 12 compartments with enough space to carry up to 48 books at once, aiming to circumvent strict luggage restrictions.
Innovative Solution for Over-Packers
Charlotte Crosby, known for her candid personality, expressed sheer delight with the novel coat. "I'm absolutely made up with this coat," she said. "I love it. I can carry all my holiday reads and all the outfits I've planned for my trip." As a self-proclaimed serial over-packer, Crosby admitted she often struggles to zip her suitcase due to excessive clothing. "With this coat I'll never have to worry about leaving enough space for my books ever again," she added, highlighting the practical benefits of the design.
Addressing Declining Reading Rates
The launch of the book jacket comes in response to concerning data from the National Literacy Trust, which revealed that reading rates among Britons have hit a 20-year low. To understand travel habits better, loveholidays commissioned a poll of 2,000 UK holidaymakers through OnePoll. The findings were eye-opening: two in ten respondents admitted they never leave enough room in their luggage for books, while 23% do not consider books as essential as other items, often packing unworn outfits or excessive shoes instead.
Al Murray, a spokesperson for loveholidays, commented on the trend. "It's easy to stuff your suitcase with too many clothes - leaving less room for the things that matter, like that bestselling thriller you've been dreaming of reading by the pool," he said. Murray emphasized that for many travellers, a good book is the perfect way to truly switch off and relax, making space for great reads crucial for an enjoyable escape.
Holiday Reading Habits Revealed
The research delved deeper into holiday reading behaviours, uncovering that two-thirds of holidaymakers find reading a book on vacation relaxing, with 49% enjoying being screen-free. However, one in ten of those who take books with them do not get to read as much as they would like while away. A third of travellers struggle to find quiet time or space to read, often opting to spend time with family or friends instead. Additionally, 18% of all travellers admitted they would take more novels abroad if they had more suitcase space, making the new book jacket a timely innovation.
Al Murray added further insight, noting, "So many holidaymakers love to read but just don't end up getting to read as many books as they'd like while on their travels. With people admitting they stuff too many things in their cases that they don't even need while they're away, it's a fun reminder to pack smarter and make space for the stories that help turn a good holiday into a great one."
Top Holiday Reads for Inspiration
To inspire travellers, loveholidays also released a list of the top 25 holiday reads, featuring popular titles such as The Thursday Murder Club, Where the Crawdads Sing, and Normal People. This curated selection aims to encourage more people to pick up a book during their travels, fostering a love for reading amidst busy holiday schedules.
The book jacket, modelled by Charlotte Crosby, not only offers a practical solution for over-packers but also serves as a creative campaign to boost literacy and reading enjoyment among UK holidaymakers. As travel continues to evolve, such innovations highlight the importance of balancing practicality with leisure, ensuring that stories remain a cherished part of the holiday experience.
