From travelling through airports and the sounds of sizzling food, to local musician’s beats and gently lapping water, the captivating soundtrack authentically encompasses the very essence of a holiday, powerfully transporting listeners to sunnier climes at the gloomiest time of the year.
Heathrow commissioned research identifying attitudes towards sounds and what people enjoy hearing in a bid to help them escape the daily grind and feel instantly relaxed.
Findings reveal that despite longing for a dose of Vitamin D in Britain’s long winter, our most loved sounds are decidedly domestic; the noise of a crackling open fire was rated highly (32%) babies laughing (31%), rain against a window (30%) and a dramatic thunderstorm (23%) all make people feel relaxed and inspired.
Birds chirping (18%), the gentle smack of a kiss (14%) and a sports crowd cheering (13%) made the list of the most exciting sounds around the world, along with an airplane landing (12%) and the roar of a sports car engine (11%).
Sound is increasingly recognised as evocative in influencing memories with the research confirming that almost one in four Brits say sounds inspire them to get away.
The research, conducted by the airport has also revealed the nation’s favourite destinations with New York, Los Angeles, Barcelona, Sydney and Paris coming out as the top five on Brits’ bucket list.
Nick Ryan, British Academy Award-winning sound artist, said,“When I travel, it’s the way a place sounds that fascinates me so when I hear those sounds again, it takes me straight back.”
