Covid sending millennials back to agents, claims Advantage survey

Advantage Travel Partnership has claimed many millennials who don’t currently use a travel agent would now do so because of the Covid pandemic.

Research conducted among 1089 consumers found that 62% of people aged 25 to 34 do not book with agents. But of them, 44% indicated they would switch to using a consultant because of the advice, expertise and reassurance they can provide during such uncertain times.

Overall, more than a third of respondents (38%) said they usually prefer to book holidays themselves. Of those people, 36% said they will turn to a travel agent in future.

The figures were portrayed by Advantage as a sign that Covid is making even DIY consumers return to a bricks and mortar agency to book their holiday.

However, the research also makes clear there are still swathes of consumers who have no interest in booking with a travel despite the current turmoil.

Julia Lo Bue-Said, Chief Executive of The Advantage Travel Partnership, welcomed the findings.

"We know that consumer confidence has been severely impacted over the past six months, but it is reassuring to see that consumers do value the services that travel agents provide and would trust them to book their travel in the future, especially among the younger age groups who historically will dynamically package their own trips," she said.

"Throughout the pandemic, travel agents have demonstrated their value and have often been the first port of call for travellers when things go wrong, providing that all-important human element during times of uncertainty."

The over 65s remain the largest group to favour the use of a travel agent (77%), followed, surprisingly, by 18-24 year-olds (76%).

The survey found three quarters of respondents would travel domestically or abroad within the next three to six months if restrictions permitted them to do so, with a UK trip the most popular

Only 42% said they would consider an overseas trip in February, rising to 66% between May and the start of the 2021 summer season and 80% at the end of the season.

Asked about testing, 55% said using a double testing method to reduce quarantine to 5-10 days on arrival back to the UK would provide them with the confidence to travel abroad now. 

Almost six out of 10 said they would be prepared to pay for a test if it meant they could travel freely to a restricted destination, while 32% would prefer the test to be arranged for them and be included in the cost of their holiday.

Lo Bue-Said added: "It’s also positive to see from the results that if the UK Government implements a testing system, travellers would be prepared to pay for a test and would have the confidence to travel without being caught out by quarantine changes.

"Grant Shapps said this week that there will be a private sector testing regime by 1 December 2020 dependent on testing firm capacity we are certain that this will help to repair consumer confidence and get people travelling again which is critical to the survival of many travel agent businesses up and down the country."