In keeping with the tone and substance of other survey results released in the past several weeks, a new data set just made available from ABTA tells us a majority (65 percent) of Brits will either spend more (27 percent) or the same (38 percent) on their holidays this year—a rather convincing response to a steady dirge of speculation in the news and social media that Brexit would dampen the desire of UK consumer to travel. Of those who do plan holidays, only about a quarter plan to cut back and spend less on holidays in 2019, according to new figures from ABTA that were based on a YouGov survey of more than 2,000 people.
“Despite political and economic uncertainty, people are continuing to book their summer holiday,” asserted Victoria Bacon, director of brand and business development, adding, “Brits are firmly committed to their holidays and many people see taking a break, either abroad or at home, as an essential spending priority.”
- Other findings shared by Bacon include the following:
—Consumers are increasingly turning to travel agents, as they want advice from an expert and the confidence of booking with a person rather than just online.
—Last year, 40 percent of travelers booked an overseas holiday through a travel agent.
—Bookings this year are currently tracking slightly above where they were this time last year, “although it’s worth recognizing that we are just halfway through the main booking period so it will be a few months yet before we understand the full picture … however, it is off to a promising start.”
—The number of homeworking agents across ABTA’s membership has risen by more than 10 percent each year over the past six years.
- According to Travelzoo’s new annual trends report, whose results were based on a survey of more than 1,600 people:
—British travelers are choosing longer packages, cheaper and less convenient flights and moving towards all-inclusive to make their holiday spending money go further.
—Almost 7 out of every 8 survey respondents said that they were actively trying to make their holiday budgets go further.
—One half of those surveyed said they were likely to book all-inclusive, especially those with children;
—One half said they would travel at inhospitable hours or skip in-flight meals to save cash.
—Nearly three quarters said they’d try to save money on their baggage allowance.
Noting that the survey results came at a time when the British pound is low in value against the euro and other currencies, and citing “the possible impact of Brexit,” Travelzoo noted that:
—Only one in five of the travelers surveyed said they expected the UK economy to do well this year
—45 percent said they expected their financial situation would be worse this year.
—However, one in two respondents said they would be likely to spend more in a destination if they got a god deal on the trip.
—More than half said they would not compromise on the quality of the restaurants they visit while on holiday and one in three said they would consider taking a specialist food or wine-tasting trip in the coming years.
—Younger generations of travelers showed an aspirational interest in Norway, Japan and Mexico.
—Millennial travelers aged between 25 and 34 wanted to explore new destinations and
—Nearly two-thirds of those under 45 said they didn’t plan to spend their 2019 holiday in the UK.
- The level of drinking at airports has risen drastically in the past three years, new research reveals.
Brits are drinking even more alcohol before flying off to their holiday destinations. According to the results of a new survey by Holiday Extras:
—The number of passengers choosing pre-flight drinks increased from 31% three years ago to 42 percent by the end of 2018.
—Those consuming between four and eight units of alcohol has also doubled in three years, rising from 5 percent to 10 percent.
—When asked about their personal experiences, more than a fifth (no pun intended), or 21 percent of respondents, said they felt that excessive drinking at airports is far too commonplace – almost double the amount of people that felt it was an issue in 2015.
The survey results follow by a few weeks the UK Government’s launch of a fact-finding consultation on changing the rules around the sale of alcohol at airports in England and Wales. As part of the consultation, the Home Office is exploring the impact of applying the 2003 Licensing Act to all airports, which means that it could the extended drinking hours available to airport passengers, particularly early in the morning. Some airlines have been waging a campaign against pre-flight drinking of alcohol amid rising incidents of air rage.
For more on the subject, see this recent INBOUND article:
“Disruptive Drunks a Daily Occurrence in UK Airports, Airlines”
