ABTA: Demand for Foreign Holidays is Back to pre-Covid Levels

Photo source: ABTA.

The demand of the Brits for foreign holidays is returning to pre-pandemic levels, according to new data recently released by ABTA, the trade association for UK travel agents and tour operators.

The association’s consumer sentiment research conducted in February 2023 with a representative sample of 2,000 UK consumers showed that 62 percent of those surveyed had been on a foreign holiday since the lifting of covid-related travel restrictions 12 months ago.

This was a huge bounce back compared to the lows of 16 percent in 2021 when travel was at its most restricted because of measures to control the pandemic.

“What a difference a year makes. One of the sectors hardest hit by the pandemic is now back, and in a big way, with demand for travel reaching pre-pandemic levels,” said ABTA Chief Executive Mark Tanzer.

Photo source: ABTA.

Furthermore, following ABTA’s tour operator and travel agent members report of record-breaking sales since the start of 2023, the survey found that 65 percent of those questioned said that they are planning to go on holiday abroad in the next 12 months, with more than a third (37 percent) of people having already booked a holiday break.

ABTA says there has been a “freedom factor” driving the return of travel which perhaps explains why, despite the cost-of-living challenges, people are still keen to book a foreign trip.

Photo source: ABTA.

Adding to the sentiment, 54 percent of those surveyed said they intend to cut back on other non-essential costs so they can still afford to go on holiday in 2023.

“On the whole, people are preferring to adapt their travel plans rather than scrap them entirely, primarily by going all-inclusive, booking early, or holidaying outside of busy periods,” commented Tanzer.

ABTA is UK’s largest travel trade boy with over 3,900 travel brands in membership who have a combined pre-pandemic annual UK turnover of 40 billion pounds.