Holidaymakers not afraid to fly
Despite the low bookings on 11 September, visitor numbers to the UK suggest holidaymakers are not afraid to fly.
Statistics published by the British Tourist Authority show that UK tourism has been buoyed by overseas visitors, up by 15% in July from the same month last year. More important is that July 2002 was up 4% from the same month in 2000, considered to be the last “normal” year.
Brits are also showing they are not afraid to fly. According to the English Tourism Council (ETC), 1% more Brits holidayed abroad during the first five months of 2002, than during the same period last year, suggesting that holidaymakers were not shying away from air travel in the wake of the 11 September terrorist attacks.
This was confirmed by a separate survey conducted by ETC of UK residents, which found that 88% of people had not changed their travel plans as a result of 11 September.
A MORI poll reported a similar attitude, finding that out of 1,000 people questioned, only 3% were put off flying as a result of the terrorist attacks. ABTA, which has been monitoring people’s attitudes to flying since 11 September, was encouraged by the poll.
ABTA president, Stephen Bath said: “Understandably many people didn’t want to fly immediately after 11 September last year, yet confidence in flying actually returned quickly and has remained high. As a result this summer season has proved to be very busy, and it is expected that normal growth patterns will resume in 2003”.
Read our previous stories:
12-August-2002 Visitor numbers show steady improvement, but still down on last year
28-June-2002 UK visitor numbers slip back
27-May-2002 BITOA figures show visitors trickling back
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