23 March 2009

More going online for cheap travel deals

The deepening recession is significantly changing when, how and where the British are booking their summer holidays, according to a new study.

The poll by online travel search site Kayak.co.uk of 1,000 UK users found that 85% still expect to travel abroad this year.

The majority (92%) plan to go online to find the best prices for air fares, hotels and car rental, believing the best deals are found on the web.

But fewer than one per cent of respondents (0.8%) will turn to high street travel agents for advice on stretching summer budgets.

Almost three-quarters of respondents (73%) plan to take two or less holidays this year.

Staying in budget (32%) is a bigger concern than having fun (24%) or protecting the environment (1.5%).

Some of the most popular ways people aim to save cash include:
Choosing a destination in off-season to take advantage of lower prices (66%)

Swapping European strongholds like Spain for better value alternative destinations such as South Africa, Iceland, Thailand and Malaysia (65%)

Staying with friends or relatives (46%)

Trading down the number of stars on the hotel (42%)

But more than half (59.7%) of respondents would happily pay an additional £50 in order to catch a flight from their closest airport.

Kayak.co.uk Europe and Asia managing director Faisal Galaria said: "As a nation we’ll always be obsessed with getting away from it all, even when times are tough.

"In fact, our last survey revealed that nine times out of ten, Brits are more likely to cut back on everyday luxuries than deny themselves some well-deserved time off.

"Kayak.co.uk traffic is not suffering. In fact, we’re bucking the industry trend and finding consumers are coming to the website more often, spending more time on each visit, and using money-saving tools such as Fare Alerts and Flexible Search.

"We’re seeing Brits will travel once they find the price to fit their budget."

by Phil Davies

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Your Comments (4)

Lies, lies, and... statistics ?

I'm as much amazed as amused by the 92% rate. Well, there is no doubt that this should rather be classified as a joke ! Basically, i find it really hard to assimilate the 'fact' that less than 1% would turn to high street agents... Be it logically or mathematically, it's really hard to digest...

By David Ah Kiow, Friday, March 27, 2009
No surprise there, then.

A poll, by an online provider, of its existing users, finds that 92% of them prefer to do their research online. Go on, amaze me with some more insights. Let's see, 92% of those who eat in vegetarian restaurants prefer not to eat meat; 92% of those who visit dating websites are looking for a partner; 92% of those who drink Real Ale prefer it to chemical fizz. Come back, Holmes, your perceptive skills are needed.

By Richard English, Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Getting Fed up with Surveys

Only a few days ago I read a survey saying the travelling public are using high street agents more - commissioned by a high street chain I believe. Please spare us any more surveys - especially ones like this, done by an interested party. This is an online travel search provider, whose customers are automatically skewed wildly to an online point of view, negating any worth the survey has in the first place. Publish neutral info or not at all please!!

By Paul Bondsfield, Monday, March 23, 2009
A recent survey by the

British Cheese Board concluded thateating as much cheese as possible is good for you - a spokesperson said 'we used the same quantifying techniques that Kayak.co.uk used recently to prove that most travellers will book on line for a cheap holiday this year' For further information on the survey visit www.iaskleadingquestionstoaselectaudinence.co.uk

By Peter Cansick, Monday, March 23, 2009