Snobby classes search for the road less 'chavelled'

LONDON - When working class "chavs" first burst on to the scene in tacky tracksuits, designer baseball caps and oversized jewellery, middle England shuddered at their presence.

Now, according to a report, middle class travellers are being forced to visit far-flung countries to escape "chavellers" propelled around the world thanks to cheaper air fares and better job prospects.

The UK and European Travel Report says that instead of heading for Spain or Portugal, the chav is going to areas that were once considered trendy by their "superiors".

"The prospect of going somewhere the chavs favour is too awful to contemplate for the middle class," said researcher Julian Rolfe.

"Now, somewhere like Chile, Libya or Mozambique has real bragging appeal and sets them apart."

The report suggests the trend has gathered pace because "chavellers" can quit their trades such as plumbing for a few months and pick them up when they return due to demand.

Rolf said: "They've greater freedoms than ever before and more disposable income to spend on travel. They have fewer responsibilities and don't fear for their jobs."

At the same time, demand for travel to countries once considered infeasible because of remoteness or strangeness has increased sharply in the past five years. Between 2002 and last year visits to China rose by 35 per cent and India by 40 per cent.

An "upmarket" travel firm said: "Our customers will say 'We want to go off the beaten track. We want to have all the luxury we can have in Barbados but we want somewhere new'."

- INDEPENDENT