STR Survey: Limited Impact of Brexit on Travel, but UK Image Hurt

As the Brexit saga rages on, the latest being a call to the EU by Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May for a three-month extension, a study released recently found that so far into the year it has had little impact on travel plans, but has created a negative perception of the UK among European travelers.

Source: STR

More specifically, the study carried out last month on some 900 travelers by analytics firm STR found that more than half, or 61 percent, of respondents said Brexit was not impacting their 2019 travel plans, against 11 percent who said it was.

According to STR’s Consumer Travel Insights analysts, more affected by the “ordeal” are UK travelers, with 17 percent experiencing the impact of Brexit on their holiday planning for 2019 compared to their European counterparts at 15 percent.

“Although there are indications that some travelers will adjust their behaviour due to Brexit, the overall impact of Brexit on consumer travel plans in 2019 and beyond looks marginal,” said Sean Morgan, STR director of research.

“The results do, however, indicate that Brexit has shaped a negative perception of the UK among a small proportion of European travelers. But, it appears that strong consumer demand to travel far outweighs any potential limiting effect, such as economic uncertainty due to Brexit,” Morgan added.

Of the total, 9 percent of British travelers said they were less likely to visit Europe this year affected by Brexit, with 10 percent of European holidaymakers opting out of the UK.

Source: STR

Of the European travelers polled, 38 percent said the lingering Brexit issue had negatively impacted their view of the UK as a destination of choice.

At the same time, 17 percent of international travelers also said that they would be less likely to travel to the UK in the future due to Brexit.

With regards to timing, 33 percent of British and 36 percent of European vacationers thought it was best to avoid travel later this month and in early April, when the UK has set its EU exit deadline on March 29.

May calls for 3-month Brexit delay

Theresa May. Photo Source: @UK Prime Minister

In the news at the moment, May requested early on Wednesday, a three-month Brexit extension to June 30 citing a delay by UK lawmakers to implement the result of the 2016 referendum.

Britain’s PM is in Brussels today to table her proposal to EU leaders.

In response, European Council President Donald Tusk was positive, adding however, that approval would hinge on UK parliament’s enactment of the existing Brexit deal.