Holidaymakers ‘more likely to use a travel professional now than before the pandemic’

People are 20% more likely to use a travel professional now than before the pandemic, according to research by ABTA.

Two in five respondents to a survey cited the security of a package holiday (41%) and the travel professional’s up-to-date advice (40%) as the main reasons.

ABTA says the results are ‘testament to the many agents and operators who went the extra mile to help their customers this year’.

The reassurance afforded by a package holiday means they will be popular next year, with almost a quarter (23%) saying they booked for the financial protection, up from 19%, and almost one in five (19%) saying they wanted to be looked after in case something goes wrong, up from 16%.

The report also cites that many ABTA members are offering additional benefits and flexibility beyond the existing protections of a package holiday.

ABTA’s data also reveals a recent rise in the number of people looking to book a holiday over the coming year, with 62% of people saying they hope to book a holiday abroad in the next six months, compared to 52% who said the same in August 2020.

The report finds that there are two distinct types of traveller starting to emerge for 2021 – those keen to return to familiar favourites, and those looking to indulge in bucket list trips.

Just 32% of people said they would be likely to visit a country they had never been to before next year, compared to 45% who said so last year. This desire to return to familiar favourites is clear from the overseas destinations that people plan to visit in 2021, with Spain, France, the USA, Italy and Greece making up the top five*. Booking trends from ABTA members point to a similar trend with Turkey, the Balearics, the Canary Islands, Greece, the Algarve and Florida among the most popular spots for next sum­mer.

Conversely, ABTA members are also expecting bucket list trips such as climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, trekking the Inca Trail and searching for the Northern Lights to be popular in 2021. The younger generation in particular is keen to get out and explore, as new figures reveal 62% of 18-24-year-olds said they plan to spend as much or more on their holidays next year, with one in five (22%) saying this was to take the trip of a lifetime.

 Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA, said: "The severe restrictions that have been placed on international travel this year have clearly led to pent up demand, with many people hoping to get away in the coming year. I’m delighted to see that an increasing number of holidaymakers plan to turn to travel professionals to help them book their much-deserved trips, which is testament to the immense efforts of our members to help their customers through this crisis, often in exceptionally difficult circumstances.

"There is no question that things are still really difficult for the travel industry. We are continuing to lobby hard on the need for the Government to support the industry and the steps that need to be taken to open up travel.

"Members are reporting increases in enquiries and bookings for holidays next year, particularly following the positive developments around a vaccine, although these levels of bookings are far below where they would be normally. Through our report ‘Six trends for travel in 2021’ we want to inspire holidaymakers to think about their travel plans for the next year and encourage them to book with confidence with an ABTA member."

ABTA’s Six Trends for Travel in 2021:

1. Embracing old favourites

2. Ticking off the bucket list

3. An increasing desire for country escapes

4. Committed cruisers

5. The peace of mind of a package and expertise

6. Rebuilding with sustainability at the heart.

Top 10 overseas destinations people plan to visit in 2021 are:

1. Spain (33%)

2. France (19%)

3. USA (17%)

4. Italy (16%)

5. Greece (14%)

6. Portugal (9%)

7. Germany (8%)

8. Croatia (5%)

9. Netherlands (4%)

10. Australia (4%)