New research from Costa Coffee reveals that 73% of UK holidaymakers change their coffee order when abroad, with only 38% knowing how to ask for their favourite coffee in another language. The study highlights a common travel dilemma: the fear of mispronouncing a coffee order leads many to settle for something simpler.
According to the research, a quarter of people are afraid of saying the wrong thing or mispronouncing their order, and 49% admit they chicken out when the moment comes. Nearly half resort to pointing at the menu board, while 27% downgrade to a simpler option to avoid the language barrier.
Costa Coffee Launches Air-Spresso at London Luton
To help travellers avoid holiday coffee confusion, Costa Coffee is launching Air-Spresso at its new London Luton store. On August 14, multilingual translators will be on hand to help customers practise ordering their favourite coffee in Spanish, French and Italian, so they are ready to go when they reach their destination.
Nick Orrin, managing director, UK & Ireland at Costa Coffee, said: "Coffee is one of the most personal choices people make every day. Whether it's an extra shot, oat drink, sugar-free syrup or a particular size, many of us know exactly how we like our coffee."
Confidence Boost for Travellers
Orrin added: "But when we're travelling abroad, ordering that carefully crafted favourite can suddenly feel far less straightforward. Air-Spresso is a fun way to help holidaymakers feel more confident ordering their go-to coffee before they travel, so they can focus on enjoying the journey."
The initiative aims to address a common pain point for travellers, offering a practical solution to a problem that affects nearly three-quarters of UK holidaymakers. By providing a low-pressure environment to practise, Costa Coffee hopes to reduce the anxiety associated with ordering coffee in a foreign language.
Impact on Holiday Experience
The research underscores the importance of language confidence in everyday travel experiences. With 49% of people feeling too nervous to order in another language, the Air-Spresso event could significantly improve holiday experiences for many. The event takes place on August 14 at the new London Luton store, offering travellers a chance to prepare before their journeys.
