Confidence in the package holiday market remains resilient despite the collapse of Thomas Cook, according to a new study.
Consumer analysts Savvy Marketing surveyed more than 1,000 holidaymakers for BBC Radio 4’s You & Yours programme.
Nearly two-thirds said they were still happy to book a package holiday, despite the failure of Thomas Cook which prompted the repatriation of thousands of holidaymakers by the Civil Aviation Authority.
The package holiday market has had five consecutive years of growth, according to the Office for National Statistics. Many of these holidays are booked through high street travel agents.
Polka Dot Travel has 18 branches and plans to open at least two more shops in 2020.
The group’s head of sales, Jenny Lyons, told You and Yours: “Ten years ago, everyone booked their holidays online. People thought they were saving money by booking travel and accommodation separately.
“But people want reassurance now and you can’t put a price on that. Nothing can take the place of the travel agent who you build a relationship with.”
Other companies are also expanding into the package holiday market, including relaunched easyJet Holidays.
Virgin Holidays managing director Joe Thompson said demand for package holidays has remained resilient and interest for 2020 is high.
“People will always want to go on holiday,” he told the BBC. “This year, holidaymakers will be looking for bespoke package deals which might be multi-location.”
Civil Aviation Authority consumers and markets director Paul Smith said: “We repatriated 140,000 people, most of them when they expected to come home. The Atol scheme is still in place and people should book with confidence this year.”
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