There is still a considerable amount of uncertainty with regard to how Brexit will affect us, and the prolongation of the current political crisis has gripped the UK for countless months. Despite this, ABTA’s Holiday Habits Report shows that Britons have remained committed to jetting off on their holidays. In fact, the percentage of the population taking a holiday and the average number of holidays per person have both increased!
Number of holidays taken
88% of people took a holiday in the last 12 months, and the average number of holidays people took also grew, rising to 3.9 breaks per year. However, people have cut back on what they spend before their holiday and while they’re away.
Spending
Compared to 2017, people are spending a combined £98 less before and during a short overseas break and £94 less on a longer overseas break. This shows that while people are still booking holidays, they are looking to make their money go further by reducing spending before and during their trip.
Where are people visiting?
Europe continues to be the most favoured choice overseas for British holidaymakers, with 84% visiting the continent in 2019. However, long haul travel is increasingly popular, reinforced by affordable flights and more fuel-efficient aircraft.
What types of holidays have been booked?
City and beach breaks continue to be the nation’s favourite types of holiday.
However, 7% of people took a holiday ‘off the beaten track’, and lakes and mountain trips have had a 3% increase since 2018. Adventure holidays have also seen a rise in popularity, particularly with 18-24 year-olds (13% compared to 6% in 2018).
Package holidays are still popular, with 51% of Brits taking an overseas package holiday this year. They are also a favourite among young holidaymakers, with 53% of 18-24 year-olds booking this type of trip – an increase of 13% from 2018. Going all-inclusive was the reason 37% of people opted for a package holiday, which may explain why more people are spending less before & during their holidays.
Cruises are also an increasingly common choice for UK travellers. The number of UK cruise passengers reached over two million for the first time last year. Surprisingly, 28% of 18-34 year-olds have been on a cruise in 2019, up 6% from last year.
Responsible Tourism
Britons are becoming more aware of the environmental and social impacts of their holidays and are starting to consider this when choosing who to book with and where to stay. Half of people have said that the sustainability of a travel company is important or essential when choosing a holiday, rising 5% since 2018.
Here at Travel Club Elite, we have our own Eco-Initiatives, from using eco-friendly LED lighting, installing PIR sensors on our lighting, to moving towards a ‘paper-free’ office and recycling old computers & electronic equipment.
Additionally, 62% of people also want to ensure their holidays help the local people, economy, and environment. View our Top 5 Eco-Friendly Resorts here >
Booking Habits
The booking journey for holidaymakers and the way they interact with travel experts continues to evolve. The travel sector has been susceptible to the pressures on the high street, with in-store bookings dipping from 15% in 2018 to 12% this year, impacting multiple retailers in recent years.
However, we have seen some interesting trends. The ‘digital generation’ are gradually realising the benefits of using travel professionals, and are turning to them for booking their holidays. 34% of 18-24 year-olds booked via a travel professional in 2019, compared to 31% in 2018.
