Expedia 2014 Flip Flop Report: The nations most likely to sunbathe naked and more global holiday facts!

According to the report, Germany and Austria beachgoers rank first when it comes to sunbathing fully nude at the beach.

17:00 17 July 2014

Expedia.com has released the result of its annual study of behaviour and preference of beachgoers throughout the world. It examines anxieties and joys including fear of sharks, opinions of Speedo-style swimwear, and comfort with public nudity.

John Morrey, Vice President and General Manager of Expedia.com, said: “The beach is the world’s most popular travel destination by a considerable margin. So every year we ask travelers all over the world to tell us their likes and dislikes as they relate to beach behavior.

"In response, we can offer travelers the recommendations that best suit their preferences. Expedia will help you get to the perfect beach, but when it comes to behavior on the sand, you’re on your own.”

The report revealed that 28per cent of German and Austrian beachgoers are confident in going nude while sunbathing on the beach. Worldwide, beach nudity is something that 18per cent of men and 6per cent of women will do. When it comes to going topless, Europeans lead the numbers with 49per cent of Austrians, 42per cent of Spaniards, and 39per cent of Germans saying yes to this practice.  

Asian beachgoers are the most unlikely to go to the beach nude. Only 2per cent of Japanese, 3per cent of South Koreans, and 4per cent of Thai beachgoers said that they sunbathed nude.

The study also revealed that the beach is the most popular travel destination with more 56per cent of the respondents saying they took a beach vacation in the past year. Meanwhile, 75per cent of these people said that they are “very” or “somewhat” likely to go to the beach in the next 12 months.

When it comes to beach attire, speedo-style briefs are deemed acceptable by the respondents. Respondents also revealed that they feel very anxious about theft on the beach.

44per cent of people who have participated on the survey said that they fear swimming at the beach due to sharks although 35per cent said that they will still swim regardless.