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Majority to spend as much as last year on holidays – Carnival UK
Sunday, 25 Feb, 2009
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More than three quarters of people plan to spend at least as much as last year on their holiday in 2009 despite the recession, a new study shows.
The YouGov poll of more than 2,100 people for Carnival UK as part of its annual Cruise Report, found that even during the credit crunch 78% of 45-54 year olds aim to spend as much if not more on their holiday this year.
Nearly a third plan to spend more, while less than one in four (22%) expect to spend less, the research found.
But the poll also identified that cutting back on second holidays and short breaks was one way people are making sure they can afford a main break away.
But the poll also identified that cutting back on second holidays and short breaks was one way people are making sure they can afford a main break away.
Asked what they would be prepared to spend less on to pay for a holiday, 29% picked second breaks. But almost half (49%) would go without designer clothes, latest gadgets (43%) or evenings out (43%).
Value for money unsurprisingly emerged as the most important factor when choosing a holiday, with eight out of ten people saying they spent less than £1,000 last year followed by previous experience of travelling with a particular holiday company.
When asked what they would be willing to forgo to fund their annual holiday, respondents only put buying quality food and saving ahead of two weeks away.
A personal holiday recommendation is seen as twice as important as an online consumer review.
And a mere one per cent are persuaded by the holiday’s green credentials, the survey found.
Once on holiday, the quality of accommodation is the most important element, followed by new destinations.
Holidaymakers also claimed that whilst away they missed the comfort of their own bed over friends, pets and even their family.
Carnival UK CEO David Dingle said: “The findings from YouGov have confirmed for us that there are still plenty of holidaymakers out there planning a holiday for 2009 despite the current economic situation.
“Considering a cruise holiday today includes accommodation, almost all food, entertainment and flights, it really does provide exceptional value at a time when the credit crunch is hitting our wallets in every aspect of our daily life – and our beds are very comfortable.”
The cruise report also shows that Carnival brands accounted for about 60% – 100,000 out of 170,000 – of the additional UK cruise passengers last year when the sector grew by 12% to 1.5 million.
The introduction of P&O Cruises’ biggest ship Ventura last April and Queen Victoria for Cunard Line helped secure a 20% growth for Carnival UK in 2008.
Overall capacity growth for the organisation will be just two per cent this year with the loss of QE2 offset by a full year of Ventura, Grand Princess replacing smaller Sea Princess from Southampton and a new ship for Yachts of Seabourn.
“This may well prove fortuitous given the ongoing economic situation,” said Dingle. “It will also help that other companies are not significantly increasing capacity in the UK market either.”
Even in 2010 with the launch of P&O Cruises’ Azura and Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth, Carnival UK’s overall capacity rise will be a “prudent” level, added Dingle.
But he did not rule out the number of UK cruise passengers reaching two million by 2012 even with the transfer of the two Ocean Village ships to Australia by the end of 2010.
“After all, there may still just be time to order more ships for the UK market for delivery in 2012,” said Dingle.
The cruise industry has 40 ships currently on order worldwide through to 2012, with Carnival brands accounting for 17 of them.
*Details of Cunard’s new ship Queen Elizabeth are due to be unveiled on March 17 while Azura is due to go on sale on March 28, when P&O Cruises hopes to top the 19,000 bookings in a single day taken when sales for Ventura opened.
Other Cruise Report findings:
*Ocean Village, which is to be wound down by the end of next year, is now carrying 44% first-time cruise passengers and has introduced the first activities specifically aimed at 13-17 year olds.
*Thirty per cent of Cunard’s QE2 farewell passengers were new to the line and the final departure to Dubai sold out in just 36 minutes. Those who had never sailed on QE2 were desperate to do so while they still had the chance.
*British passengers provided up to 30% of people sailing on Carnival Cruise Lines’ new superliner Carnival Splendor last year.
*The UK exceeded expectations for Costa Cruises in 2008 and the British have proved the largest single market for the Italian line’s Asia cruises – ahead of the Italians and other Europeans who usually provide the majority of its passengers.
*By the end of 2010, Holland America Lines will have spent about £300 million on upgrading its entire fleet since 2003.
*Ninety five per cent of those travelling with Princess Cruises say they would recommend the cruises to their friends.
*The average age of passengers travelling with luxury Yachts of Seabourn has lowered, with many in their 40s.
*See linked 2009 Cruise Report stories.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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