BUSINESS NEWS Consumers’ appetite for travel is undimmed, according to a Mintel survey. Ian Taylor reports


‘One in three plan overseas trip’ 66%


Ian Taylor


UK consumers “have not lost their appetite to travel” according to research firm Mintel, with a study suggesting one in three still intend to take an overseas holiday this year. Mintel research in late January


found two-thirds (66%) of UK adults intend to take a holiday in the UK or abroad despite the current lockdown and restrictions on travel. One in five (21%) said they plan


an overseas holiday in Europe and 10% a trip beyond. One in 11 (9%) were undecided. Just one in three (34%) had no plans for a holiday. The research found 11% already


had a domestic or overseas holiday booked this year, 4% intended to book by the end of March, 8% to book between April and June and 12% to book later. An additional one


Older market: Vaccination instils travel confidence


Older UK adults’ desire for a holiday now matches that of younger consumers with the vaccination programme boosting confidence to travel, according to Mintel research. Its survey in late January found


69% of adults aged 55-plus now intend to take a holiday this year, the same proportion as among 16-34-year-olds. The proportion intending to take a holiday among those aged 35-54 was lower at 62%. However, younger adults remain


more likely to travel overseas with two out of five (41%) of those aged 16-34 planning to travel abroad


travelweekly.co.uk


this year, compared with 26% of 35-54-year-olds and 33% of those aged 55 and above. By contrast, 28% of 16-34-year-olds plan a domestic holiday compared with 36% of adults aged 35 and over. Mintel analyst Marloes de Vries


noted: “The share of over-55s planning a holiday in 2021 is now equal to those aged 16-34. This generation will play an important role in the recovery of travel.”


Proportion of Brits intending to go away in UK or abroad this year


in three (32%) said they intend to book but had not decided when. Mintel analyst Marloes de Vries


concluded: “Brits have not lost their appetite to travel. Brands can expect a surge in bookings, first when the re-opening date for travel is announced and second when restrictions are lifted.” She suggested overseas travel will


recover more slowly than domestic “due to the likeliness of entry restrictions and requirements for travel to or from certain countries” but said: “Overseas beach holidays are in high demand. Demand is there.


Success will mostly depend on how well the UK and overseas countries get the virus under control.” Mintel noted a reversal of normal


booking patterns with domestic holidaymakers likely to book earlier than normal and overseas trips more likely to be booked close to departure. De Vries said: “Holidaymakers


will opt for brands that demonstrate travellers’ health, holiday experience and payments are protected.” She added: “As Covid restrictions


•


have made planning overseas breaks more complex, brands should invest in simplifying holiday planning and booking, such as by integrating Covid-19-related measures into search technology.”


The research was conducted among 500 UK adults on Jan 21-26. To obtain Mintel’s Holiday Review UK January 2021 report, go to: store.mintel.com


Spending: Covid tipped to spur some consumers to spend more, some less


Travel consumer behaviour could be sharply polarised by the impact of the pandemic, with some households spending more on holidays than usual and others financially stretched. That is according to Mintel’s


Holiday Review UK January 2021 report, which identifies “two extremes in consumer behaviour”. Mintel travel analyst Marloes de


Vries suggests in the report: “Those who have been unaffected financially or have managed to boost their savings will ramp up their holiday expenditure and upgrade to more premium options. Those whose financial situation has been impacted or who fear they might lose their job


will cut back on the holidays they take or temporarily exit the market.” De Vries noted: “With


unemployment expected to rise, economic barriers are likely to become a bigger issue.” Mintel research in January found 75% of those who describe their financial situation as ‘healthy’ plan a holiday in 2021 compared with 50% of those in ‘a more difficult situation’. It found “a large proportion of UK


adults reduced their outgoings as a result of Covid-19” and suggested: “Brands have the opportunity to entice this group to splash out by offering premium accommodation, private experiences or a longer duration.”


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PICTURES: Shutterstock


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