Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
04 November 2013 09:22
The overseas holiday market is showing signs of improvement
The holiday market has been buoyed on the back of rising consumer confidence, a new survey suggests.
In March this year, 13% believed the economy was about to improve, while today that figure stands at 26%, polls by foreign currency company First Rate Exchange Services show.
At the same time, the number of those who thought the economy would not get better has dropped from more than half to 30%.
A survey of 5,194 people revealed that 40% of those with intentions to get away had now committed to a holiday with a booking, and around a fifth have booked a second trip. This proportion of people would be well advised to look into travel insurance to cover any unexpected mishaps before or during their break.
More than 50% of the would-be holidaymakers expect to travel overseas next year, with a fifth of bookings made for the summer period.
The data, conducted by First Rate in association with the Institute of Travel & Tourism, the University of Wolverhampton and YouGov, showed just 14% are planning to cut their holidays abroad, compared with 18% in March.
First Rate Exchange Services business decisions head Alistair Rennie said: "The new index reveals a growing stability for the overseas holiday market."
However, households still remain cautious, with more than half of those questioned admitting to not wanting their holiday spend to go above that of 2012.
Mr Rennie added: "Given the relative optimism about economic recovery expressed by respondents, there is good reason to be cautiously positive about the outlook for the coming year."
Nine in 10 have settled on a destination, with the eurozone proving a popular choice, and of those not planning a getaway; 13% blame a lack of time, while 74% said that a holiday comes lower down in their financial priorities.
29 September 2016
Tour operator Thomas Cook says its earnings are still being impacted by recent terror attacks.
[more...]
28 September 2016
The English tourism industry is predicted to grow faster than the overall economy every year for the next decade, according to new research.
27 September 2016
Monarch Airlines says its flights are operating as normal amid fears the firm is in financial trouble.
24 September 2016
Slim people who look physically healthy may still be at increased chance of being diagnosed with bowel cancer if they have raised insulin levels, according new research.
23 September 2016
Theresa May is being urged to give the go-ahead for flights to resume between the UK and Sharm el-Sheikh by the head of the cross-party parliamentary group on Egypt.
22 September 2016
Budget airline Jet2.com is to open its first base in the south of England at Stansted.
21 September 2016
Smoking rates have dropped to the lowest level on record in England, new figures show, suggesting messages about the health effects of cigarettes are hitting home.
20 September 2016
Concerns have been raised over flight disruptions caused by heavy drinking among passengers.
17 September 2016
British Airways' decision to launch direct flights from London to Tehran earlier this month positions Iran as one of the hottest destinations to visit in 2017, according to experts.
16 September 2016
More than 100 flights have been cancelled as French air traffic controllers go on strike again.
15 September 2016
Two thirds of MPs would support an expansion at Heathrow.
14 September 2016
TripAdvisor is launching a new homepage, making the booking of holiday activities and tours even easier.