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.
23 September 2017
Thomas Cook has launched a new service that will enable holidaymakers to select which hotel room they want, before even boarding a flight.
[more...]
22 September 2017
A new computer code that can be applied to GP surgery data could be the answer to identifying those most at risk of developing bowel cancer.
21 September 2017
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a warning over a growing resistance to antibiotics.
20 September 2017
Thousands of Ryanair flights have been cancelled over the next six weeks, as the airline says it "messed up" allocation of its pilots' annual leave.
19 September 2017
Manchester's Girlguides are being urged to help the elderly with a new badge incentivising youngsters to tackle senior loneliness.
16 September 2017
Holidaymakers are being evacuated as winds up to 200km per hour hit Central Vietnam, with Typhoon Doksuri damaging houses, roads and infrastructure.
15 September 2017
People in parts of East Anglia are eight times more likely to survive liver disease than Blackpool residents, according to new data by Public Health England (PHE).
14 September 2017
A non-invasive alternative to gastric bypass surgery that helps people with Type 2 diabetes lose weight is being recommended for widespread use by NHS experts.
13 September 2017
Almost half of UK adults travelling to areas at risk of malaria are not covering themselves by taking medication, despite recommendations made by the NHS and world health organisations.
12 September 2017
A new health warning has been issued by scientists in Sweden, suggesting e-cigarettes with nicotine could lead to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
09 September 2017
Researchers have developed a futuristic pen-like device that can tell whether someone has cancer much faster than current technology.
08 September 2017
A staffing crisis in the NHS is seeing cancer patients turned away from their GP surgery and instead visiting A&E, a report has claimed.