Consumer confidence in using public transport has risen over the past year, according to research from ferry industry body, Discover Ferries.
A poll of more than 2,000 consumers also found that more Brits feel less concerned about contracting Covid-19 when travelling by ferry than by plane or coach.
Since last September, the number of travellers who say they feel unsafe on public transport has fallen to just over a third, down from almost half last autumn.
UK passenger ferry operators say ferries have been perceived as a more Covid-safe way to travel, as the ease of boarding, spacious public lounges and access to fresh air on deck mean ferry travel “naturally lends itself to social distancing”.
Furthermore, domestic operators have benefitted from the staycation summer, offering trips to the Isle of Wight, Channel Islands, Scottish islands and peninsulas, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Isles of Scilly.
Abby Penlington, director at Discover Ferries, said: “It is heartening to see that consumer confidence in using public transport post-pandemic is growing. This is great for the travel industry as a whole, but particularly encouraging for the ferry sector where research has consistently shown that Brits feel more comfortable using ferries than other forms of public transport.
“These findings, together with last week’s announcement that Covid testing for international travel to England will be simplified and more affordable from October, offer further reassurance to passenger ferry companies on their course to recovery during the rest of 2021 and looking forward to 2022.”
Picture credit: P&O Ferries