More people than ever are booking holidays – despite Brexit. And they are choosing Europe over the UK, says ABTA.
A survey revealed that 48% of people do fear that it may be harder to travel once we come out of the EU next March. But they are booking which is good news for travel companies.
Mark Tanzer, boss of ABTA, said: “While politicians have argued and dithered, customers have continued to travel and to book into the future, even with the fall in the value of the pound.
“Indeed, ABTA’s own research tells us that Europe tops the list of destinations that people say they want to visit next year – overtaking the UK as people’s destination of choice.Europe is more popular with British holidaymakers.
“My own view is that the future is unlikely to be paradise, but there’s no reason to believe that it will be hell, either. What we will see is winners and losers, at the country level, at the industry level, and at the company level.”
He added that ABTA members had prepared for a no-deal Brexit, just so they could be prepared to advise their customers. But the industry, like everyone else, had to wait for the outcome of future negotiations between the government and EU.
Brits are choosing more longer foreign holidays with six out of 10 going abroad this year. Spain and Portugal were popular choices and Turkey is back up there with the hotspot attracting a 65% rise in visitors. Greece was up 10% and Bulgaria welcomed 21% more Brits.
The number of people taking holidays in the UK fell this year, mainly because of the impact of Beast from the East in March. That’s surprising but then people book ahead, so that could change over the next year considering the long hot summer we all enjoyed.
The holiday trends survey was revealed today as hundreds of travel agents gathered in the gorgeous Spanish city of Seville for their annual ABTA convention.
Holidaymakers still want value for money which is why packages are still so popular – and cruises. It’s the all-inclusive trend, of course, pay up-front and you know what you are getting.
More young people are considering booking a cruise next year – great news for the industry which has more incredibly modern ships on the way. More than one in 10 18-34 year olds are looking to cruise in 2019. People who took a cruise holiday say they loved the quality of the food and drink.
Victoria Bacon of ABTA said: “Companies are investing in tech upgrades to appeal to this next generation of holidaymakers, with many capitalising on new technology and fast wi-fi across their fleets.”
Young people may love hi-tech but on-line travel reviews are less trusted and they prefer to book a holiday with a travel professional. So good news for all the travel agents in Seville!
