WTM: Brexit not a deterrent for British Holidaymakers

Monday, November 12, 2018

A research at World Travel Market London revealed that although the leaders of the travel industry were bothered about Brexit but British holidaymakers were oblivious to their concern.

There were more than 17 million booking transactions a day  was commissioned for the opening of World Travel Market London as per ForwardKeys. For the beginning of October forward air bookings by Brits for 2019 summer  to EU destinations were ahead by 5.7% compared to 2017.

British bookings to destinations beyond  the EU were currently 28.5% ahead. However, the growth rate of forward bookings to non-EU destinations was 4.3% last year.

By comparison, British bookings to destinations beyond the EU are currently 28.5% ahead. One year ago, the growth rate of forward bookings to non-EU destinations was 4.3%.

Olivier Ponti, VP Insights, ForwardKeys considering the flight booking data, pointing the  trends in the UK outbound market it is best described as  ‘business as usual’ or if anything, the future looks brighter.

For the summer holiday season for 2018 around 28% of trips by British travellers to the EU were booked more than six months in advance. In the first quarter of the year 32% were booked and 40% were booked during the season.

The initial indications were positive even though it was too early to predict the booking cycle.

Olivier Ponti affirmed that there was nothing in the data that would confirm a ‘Brexit effect’ on people’s booking behavior for the EU destinations. Janauary is an important period for holiday bookings and in the absence of any Brexit deal the outlook might turn out to be different.

Outbound travel from the UK grew by 3.2%  and after Russia which attracted many Britishers eastern Mediterranean and north Africa were winning destination.

In 2018 there were growth in the destinations troubled by security fears, terror attacks and travel bans.

There were impressive growth rates in Tunisia, Egypt and Turkey and a surge in the market shares at the expense of Spain, Portugal and Italy. Non-EU countries were among the fastest growing destination for British travellers.

As compared to the previous winter season the aviation industry started its 2018/19 winter season last week and total available seats on the scheduled flights between the UK and the EU increased by 3.4%.

The capacity over the summer was 0.5% less than summer 2017 and the vote of confidence appeared to be in contrast.

There is no clear picture of seat capacity for the next summer as two major airlines did not share their schedules with the industry.

Paul Nelson, WTM Portfolio Press & PR Manager, said that consumer confidence appears to be undented but many of theit exhibitors have seen Brexit as a massive cloud on the horizon for more than two years and time is running out fast.

January booking period should be crucial urging politicians to seal a deal as soon as possible and  ensure that consumer confidence is maintained so that travellers can continue to cross the borders between the UK and Europe seamlessly.”

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