October 2013
Featured in this insight: Culture, heritage & leisure, Financial services
Holiday makers spending more, growth in activity holidays: New research carried out by Travel Industry Digest reveals an increase in confidence among UK travel trade bosses. The research, which was presented at the ABTA Travel Convention, shows that almost sixty per cent of respondents polled claim their advance bookings are stronger now than they were this time last year. A high proportion (76%) said they thought the industry as a whole would perform better in 2013/2014 with most sectors of the leisure market saying they expect a continuation in growth at the same rate as last year.
The poll of 345 senior executives in the leisure sector revealed that out of all the holidays, activity holidays (including skiing) are the most popular choice for growth; they are expected to grow much faster than short-haul, coach tours and domestic holidays which are predicted to grow less than they did in the previous year. Overall the survey discovered that those taking part in the poll felt there has been an increase in the amount that consumers spend on holidays but it does seem that holidays are tending to become shorter and fewer in numbers.
Future trends point towards bookings being made via mobile devices with online packaged bookings and all-inclusive holidays being the big winners. Respondents admit that bookings through retail agents are likely to decline further over the next twelve months. However, retails agents remain optimistic with less than a third believing their bookings would decline.
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