Dip in consumer confidence set to hit holiday sales
Fewer people are intending to travel abroad this year than last, they will take fewer trips, go for shorter durations and spend less both on their trips and while abroad, according to a new survey.
It found that consumer confidence has dipped when it comes to booking holidays as 28% have resolved not to travel, compared with 25% a year ago.
However, of the 55% who plan to travel in the next 12 months, three in five have already booked their next trip, up 6% on a year ago.
More than three-quarters – 78% – prefer to book online, which marks a further 12% erosion in the numbers making face-to-face bookings with travel agents, according to the Holiday Confidence Index by currency provider First Rate Exchange Services.
It also found that those who planned to travel were more budget-conscious and planned to spend less on their holidays and take less spending money.
"This indicates a clear desire for belt-tightening," it said.
Following a surge in the value of the pound against the euro, there has been a 4% increase in demand for holidays in the Eurozone since the spring while demand for North America remains stable and interest in Asia and the Middle East has fallen, it added.
The most optimistic consumers are 18 to 24 year olds, the report found, with 61% of people in this age group planning to take an overseas holiday compared to only 53% of 35 to 44 year olds.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025