Travelometer reveals level of consumer confidence
- Nearly half of British adults will definitely go on holiday in the next 12-months
- Twenty-one per cent are less likely to go on holiday now than six months ago
- UK breaks are the most popular holiday type
- Average holiday spending money per person per week is £301
The first quarterly poll of over 2000 people* found that nearly half of British adults questioned (45 per cent) will definitely be going on holiday in the next 12-months. However, twenty-one per cent are less likely to go on holiday now than six months ago. Eleven per cent of Brits had already booked their main holiday six months ago, but the average booking-ahead time is 3.8 months. Perhaps unsurprisingly women like to plan further in advance than men with an average booking-ahead time of four months, compared to three and a half for men.
The popularity of the UK as a holiday destination - recently termed the 'staycation' - is confirmed, with 50 per cent saying they are most likely to book a break in Britain in the next 12-months. City breaks, all-inclusive holidays and 'pickage' holidays (do-it-yourself package holidays - booking flights, accommodation, etc. separately) are also popular.
|
HOLIDAY TYPE |
POPULATION PERCENTAGE |
- UK break
|
50% |
- City break
|
30% |
- All inclusive holiday
|
30% |
- DIY package
|
30% |
- Caravanning / camping
|
18% |
The three most important factors that influence holiday booking decisions on average are: price (72 per cent), weather (38 per cent) and facilities (38 per cent).
While price is invariably king, this summer's predicted good weather in the UK will have been an influencing factor in the rise of the popularity of holidaying at home. There is little difference between men and women, but the research highlights the lack of awareness from young people, especially the under 20s, about ensuring their holiday booking has some form of protection. It is at number eight in that age group's list of priorities - with less than one in 10 considering it important, even in the current turbulent climate. Whereas for older holidaymakers, particularly the over 50 age group, ATOL and ABTA protection is a much higher priority when booking a holiday - reaching number two in terms of importance for the over 70s (37 per cent) and number three for the over 60s (33 per cent).
Holiday Spending Money Index
As part of the consumer travel barometer, the first ever Holiday Spending Money Index reveals that, of those that budget, the average amount of money that Brits take away with them on holiday is £301 per person per week (not including flights and accommodation). Eight per cent of Brits don't budget at all - just taking their credit cards and hoping for the best. Londoners are the biggest spenders abroad, budgeting around £366 per person per week, followed by the Welsh (£336). The thriftiest holiday spenders are from the Midlands at just £252 per person per week.
|
REGION |
AVERAGE HOLIDAY SPENDING MONEY
(PER PERSON PER WEEK) |
|
London |
£366 |
|
Wales |
£336 |
|
North West |
£329 |
|
Northern Ireland |
£316 |
|
Scotland |
£312 |
|
North East / Yorkshire |
£295 |
|
South West |
£293 |
|
South East |
£288 |
|
East Anglia |
£271 |
|
Midlands |
£252 |
Bob Atkinson, travel expert from travelsupermarket.com, said: "We want to be able to track attitudes and opinions to see whether holiday habits are changing, particularly in the fast paced environment that we're living in at the moment.
"We know that Brits value their holidays and still plan to get away from everyday life. Tracking travel attitudes and plans over time will give an interesting insight into the needs and wants of British holidaymakers, and will assist us in advising them accordingly.
"The findings of this first consumer confidence barometer are interesting in the current climate, where we know money is tight. It will provide a useful baseline for ongoing research and comparisons."
-Ends-
* All figures, unless otherwise stated, taken from research carried out on behalf of travelsupermarket.com by Opinium in June 2009, among 2,007 British adults (18+)
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