foreword


Intention to travel hits all-time high


Consumer research for this report suggests outbound travel businesses can expect a strong 2025. The survey, conducted in early January, suggests three out of five UK adults (59%) intend to take an overseas holiday this year, nine percentage points up on a year ago in what proved a record year. More than half those likely to book


an overseas holiday expect to spend more than last year. However, concerns about the cost of travel come through strongly. Half the respondents said they are more concerned about the price of holidays this year than previously, putting a premium on value for money. Two out of three, including 63% of parents with children, said they would look to travel outside peak season – which might result in a lot of term-time fines. Half those with children and almost


three out of five adults planning a holiday said they plan a main break of less than seven nights, while demand for all-inclusive accommodation appears at an all-time high with 59% saying they plan to book all-inclusive, nine points up on 2019. Alongside strong intent to travel and


cost concerns, the research highlights conflicting consumer attitudes to sustainability and climate change. Half those planning a holiday admit to concern at how hot their destination might be, and two-thirds of parents suggest they may choose a cooler destination or time to travel. But one in three admit to ‘no concerns’ about sustainability when on holiday. Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ backing for


a Heathrow third runway and expansion at Gatwick and Luton, confirmed in January, will ensure the sustainability of flying remains high up the political agenda. There has been progress on addressing the need to decarbonise travel with the government’s SAF Mandate. But we await a step change in progress and any fall in travel’s total emissions. Concerns about overtourism, brought sharply into focus by protests in some


Consumer research for this report suggests a busy year in prospect


destinations last year, appear also likely to grow, alongside the imposition of tourism taxes. The industry’s default position towards taxes on tourism has been hostile. This may have to change. Thoughtful use of tax revenues may be a way to make high-volume tourism more sustainable. The digitisation and use of biometrics


in border processes moved forward with the UK extending its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system to visiting nationals from 54 countries in January and due to extend it to European arrivals from April. The government’s decision to hike the ETA fee to £16 was, unsurprisingly, poorly received. EU roll-out of its Entry/Exit System


(EES) and European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which UK nationals will need to enter the EU, remained stalled as this report was finalised but the EES will surely be in place before the year is out. Travel retail remains strong, but we


look in this report at retail more generally to see what if any lessons it might provide. I am indebted to Service Science for


the research and to Deloitte and the many Deloitte contributors for their time.


Ian Taylor executive editor, Travel Weekly ian.taylor@ travelweekly.co.uk


ALMOST three in five UK


adults (58%) took an overseas holiday in 2024 (Figures 1 & 2), and more than two-thirds


of adults aged 16-44 did so, along with three out of four


parents with children (Figure 3). Three in four adults took a UK domestic holiday (Figure 4)


PICTURE: Steve Dunlop


6 Travel Weekly Insight Report 2025


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