War is upending British travel plans for the Easter period, with 40% of those who had planned to travel abroad changing their plans. However, summer travel demand remains strong, but it is moving away from the war zone, a new survey reveals.
The high percentage of Britons who appear to be adjusting their travel plans does not automatically translate to mass cancellations, but it is an indication of a change in travel behavior, which is influenced by the military conflict in the Middle East.
According to the findings of the Harris Poll UK survey conducted on behalf of Travel Weekly, a sample of 1,000 adults in the United Kingdom on March 14-15, the intention to travel still exists, but at the same time, there is a growing wariness.
Nearly one-third (31%) of the survey participants reported that they have already booked a vacation or short getaway abroad for the next four to six weeks. Additionally, 17% said they plan to travel abroad, but have not yet finalized their plans, and 15% are “considering” the possibility of traveling.
Although only 2% have cancelled their trip, 40% said their plans have changed. Of these, 10% reported a delay in their booking, 10% have decided not to travel at the moment, 11% are considering traveling closer to the UK, 8% have changed their travel dates, and 6% have changed their destination.
Concerns and new prospects
Changes in British travel plans are attributed mainly to international tensions (47%), the risk of flight disruptions (34%), and safety concerns (29%). Nearly a third (31%) expressed concern about the increase in travel costs, which shows that the pressure on the finances of the British remains.
In light of the new developments and with travelers seeking more safety, 29% of Britons said they would “be more careful in choosing a destination,” 27% are “much more likely” to take vacations within the United Kingdom, and 17% would choose closer destinations.
The British are stopping travel to the Middle East and, mainly, transit through the Gulf countries, with almost four in 10 (38%) saying they would prefer to wait until the war is over before considering traveling to the region, while one in five said they would not travel there at all. Meanwhile, only 8% said they would feel very comfortable going on vacation in the area when the war is over.
However, the British are not ready to give up the idea of traveling abroad this summer, with 33% saying it is “very likely” they will do so by October and 42% saying it is “very likely” they will travel abroad in the next 12 months.
According to Harris Poll UK managing director Sarah Beams, Britons are not abandoning the idea of international travel, but are postponing their decisions, monitoring global developments, and turning to lower-risk options.
