‘Majority to holiday in 2010’ – report reveals
Wednesday, 03 Sep, 2009
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The majority of people asked in a Thomson and First Choice poll plan to take a holiday next year despite the recession.
The independent online survey completed by almost 1,000 people found that 80% expect to take a 2010 break despite the current economic climate.
Similar numbers said the recession will not lead them to change their holiday plans.
About half of respondents plan to spend the same as this year and almost a quarter (24%) aim to spend more.
Of those people who said the recession had changed their holiday plans this year, around six per cent said they had considered package holidays as offering extra security in the case of an airline collapse – a figure that more than doubles to 13% for 2010.
The proportion of people saying they would consider booking all-inclusive holidays rises from 10% to 16% for next year.
This is a trend predicted by Thomson and First Choice in 2008 which is set to continue.
The operators’ report that many hotels have changed their board basis to satisfy consumer demand for 2010.
Bookings for cruises are also strong with Thomson Cruises now the UK’s second largest cruise company.
Travellers may be going further afield next year as well – more than 23% said they will look to buy a longer flight for the same price as one nearer to home.
A further 18% said they would take up offers on flight upgrades from airlines keen to fill premium seats.
The annual trends report also reveals that the environment and sustainability are now mainstream concerns despite recessionary pressures.
Six out of ten people say they would be more likely to book with a company which showed greener business practices such as employing local people, sourcing local produce and using hotels that don’t waste energy.
Travellers now seem used to the issue of swine flu with six out of ten expecting their holiday plans to be unchanged next year in the event of a pandemic, and only one in ten saying they may change their plans.
One major cloud on the horizon for travellers in 2010 is rises in Air Passenger Duty which come into force in two stages from November this year. These will increase the tax on long haul flights – typically 12 hours or more – from £40 to £80.
*See linked story.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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