Appetite to travel survey after COVID-19 finds an overwhelmingly positive desire to travel again

Recent survey finds an overwhelmingly positive desire to travel again when restrictions are lifted

We recently asked our database of walking holiday enthusiasts to complete a short survey to see how the current travel restrictions and coronavirus crisis has affected their travel plans. 

Out of the survey respondents, 77% are over 60, and 43% travel solo. 

We were thrilled to have had around 2200 responses, and were especially heartened to read that although some were feeling more cautious, the vast majority (96%) of our database were keen to travel again once the government restrictions had been lifted, and that the Covid-19 crisis had not affected their travel plans or feelings for the future. 

In today’s changeable climate it is clearly even more important to know we are looking after our customers and their money, and customers get the protection they can trust. This was reflected in the results of our survey. 70% of respondents said that booking a holiday with an ABTA/ATOL bonded travel company is now even more important to them.  

We were heartened also to discover that just over a third of respondents are keen to travel before October this year if restrictions are lifted. 25% said they would like some winter sun next season, and 5% of those surveyed said they’d be on the first plane out! 

Travelling within the UK and Europe topped the list of destinations respondents would be willing to travel to this year if restrictions were lifted, getting 40% of the votes each. Only 15% of those surveyed suggested they would like to travel long haul. 

With travel on pause for the time being, our product teams are working hard behind the scenes to bring you even more holiday choices for 2021. With this in mind, we asked a few questions to help us understand which product areas would be of most interest. Holidays by rail got the lion share of the votes, suggesting an even greater desire to travel more responsibly. Watch this space!

Thank you to all those who completed this survey. The results will help us to plan for when we are able to travel again. Stay well, stay safe, and get planning your holiday now!