LONDON – UK internet searches for flights have plunged by 42% over the last 12 months, according to latest Hitwise figures.
The economic downturn means that consumers are being more cautious when booking flights abroad this year, according to the organisation.
As a result of the weak pound, people are switching from holidays in the eurozone or US and considering cheaper destinations such as Turkey and North Africa, or considering taking their holidays at home.
Online searches for flights increased by 58% between the weeks ending December 27 and January 3.
But they were down by 42.4% when compared with the equivalent post-Christmas week last year – the week ending January 5, 2008. Hitwise said.
Flights to the US suffered the biggest annual fall in searches of 52.2%.
Searches for flights to countries that use the euro fell by 44.8%.
Meanwhile searches for flights to the UK and the rest of the world also fell, but at a smaller rate.
There have been big falls in searches for flights to all of the most popular European holiday destinations over the last 12 months: France is down 45.4%, Spain 42.8%, Portugal 41.7% and Italy 41.2%.
Australia remains the most popular non-euro/dollar destination, accounting for almost a quarter of all searches for flights to destinations outside of the UK, US and eurozone.
Searches for flights to Australia have fallen by 32.85% over the last 12 months, but this is at a lower rate than for many other destinations.
Only five destinations saw an increase in flight searches over the last 12 months: Norway, Denmark, Brazil, Morocco and Cuba.
Hitwise head of research Robin Goad said: “It looks like the weak pound is putting people off flying to the Eurozone and the USA, and they are looking at destinations with more favourable exchange rates instead.”
*Change in UK Internet searches for flights to popular destinations between 05/01/08 and 03/01/09:
• Turkey: -24.6%
• Dubai: -27.1%
• Thailand: -32.2%
• Australia: -32.8%
• South Africa: -32.9%
• Caribbean: -34.6%
• Italy: -41.2%
• Portugal: -41.7%
• Spain: -42.8%
• France: -45.4%
*Destinations with the biggest increase (or smallest decrease) in flight searches between 05/01/08 and 03/01/09:
1. Norway +30.9%
2. Denmark +20.3%
3. Brazil +19.5%
4. Morocco +2.1%
5. Cuba +1.2%
6. Kenya -7.8%
7. India -12.7%
8. China -12.8%
9. Hungary -13.7%
10. Singapore -14.6%
by Phil Davies
