market outlook consumer confidence pressures
and high-profile closures of stores such as Debenhams. An LDC spokeswoman described “a resurgence”, noting the sector had been “boosted” by agencies opening “concessions within larger retailers” and “offering experiences for consumers in-store”.
TOURISM SUSTAINABILITY
Environmental sustainability moved sharply up the agenda amid growing awareness of global warming. As former Greek tourism minister and now MEP
THERE was little change in the UK’s preferred holiday destinations in 2018 (Figure 14). Italy, Greece
and Turkey enjoyed the strongest growth of the major destinations. Numbers to the US appeared to plateau, no doubt due to the
exchange rate. The gap in spending between older and younger travellers is sharp (Figure 15).
Destinations in Europe remain the bedrock of the industry (Figure 16)
FIGURE 14: TOP-10 HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS FROM UK, 2018 By destination
By bednights
% change YoY
12 15
6 9
0 3
-1% -2% +7% +7% +6% 0% -8%+22% 0% 0%
120 150
60 90
30 0
Elena Kountoura told the International Tourism and Investment Conference in November: “There is a climate emergency.” Outgoing Abta sustainability director Nikki White told Abta’s Travel Convention: “There is an awful lot of confusion about what companies should be doing. Destinations are not always aware. Not many governments have a joined-up plan.” She noted: “There are customers
who are more conscious and those who want to forget about sustainability, but whatever the size of a business, everybody has to do something.” The Kantar research suggests a sharp
increase in consumer concerns about the impact of flying, although still only among a minority (pages 45-47) – a finding echoed by CAA research (page 31). However, concerns appear only likely
to grow, along with scrutiny of carbon offsetting. Intensified pressure for carbon taxes on aviation also seems likely. Former US president Barack Obama
*Excl. Mexico
FIGURE 15: UK OUTBOUND TRIPS AND SPENDING BY AGE, 2018
%
10 15 20 25
0 5
3% 0-15 16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ 5 n/a
0-15 16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ Source: ONS
14 Travel Weekly Insight Report 2019-20 % of total trips 20 20% 21% 19% 15% 11% 11% 10 9%
0 5
15 15%
% % of total spending 20% 20%
18% 18% Figures rounded Source: ONS
raised a separate, often neglected issue when he addressed the World Travel & Tourism Council summit in April, noting: “For young women, travel poses specific issues around safety and security and the attitude of men.” It’s a good point and one the industry would do well to act on in the era of #MeToo.
FIGURE 16: UK TRIPS BEYOND EUROPE: BY AGE, 2018
10 15 20 25
% of all outbound trips in age group 22%
21% 19% 19% 15% 20% 20% 20%
0-15 16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ All ages
Source: ONS
Holiday visits (million)
France Spain
Portugal Italy
Greece
Turkey Ireland Germany Netherlands US
3.1m 2.3m
2.25m 2.2m
1.7m
1.2m 1.1m 1.1m
Holiday nights (million)
France Spain
Caribbean* Portugal Greece Italy US
Netherlands Mexico Turkey
28m
22m 21m
19m
11m 10m
8.4m 6.8m
121m 47m 13.8m 6m
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