The UK leads Europe in willingness to travel internationally, a new study of winter bookings reveals.
But travellers across Europe are either booking at the very last minute or far in advance as Covid-19 continues to create uncertainty.
Booking spikes after announcements around efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines were also identified.
A one-day booking surge of 19% in the UK after the Pfizer announcement, 10% related to Moderna’s and 28% after AstraZeneca’s. The latter also led to a 154% week-on-week increase in searches for international holidays, according to a study by data firm Adara.
Britons make up 23% of all international bookings from the EMEA region, while France comes in second at almost half that level at 12%.
Germany and Portugal each account for 8%, Spain 6% and Italy 5%.
The UK is also booking “vastly more” overseas holidays than domestic with 81% of breaks by UK travellers international and just 19% within the country.
Within the EU, more than half (56%) of bookings from the UK are to non-travel corridor countries with high Covid infection rates.
However, Covid uncertainty is still having a “huge impact” on booking behaviours.
“Customers are either booking and departing almost immediately or are looking at dates in the future when they perhaps believe there will be normality around travel,” the study said.
“Booking-travel windows remain much shorter than in previous years with the 0-14 day window taking 30% share of the bookings for winter.
“On the other extreme, bookings over 90 days in advance are also accounting for 30% of bookings as people hope that vaccines or effective lockdowns mean they can plan for later down the line.
“Pre-Covid, the last minute booking window accounted for just 18% of bookings. As we approach Christmas and rules are relaxed for the festive period, we can expect to see a last minute spike in booking activity as people travel home.”
Adara chief marketing officer Carlyn Corda added: “What was historically a period dominated by short-haul trips to European cities or long-haul trips to escape to the sun has changed to become short breaks planned quickly.
“Consumers have adapted the way they purchase travel to reflect ongoing uncertainties.
“However, the appetite for booking holidays is still there. We know that the desire to explore is a fundamental human drive, and that travel is set for a big bounce-back as vaccines roll out and people feel more comfortable.
“For the travel industry, it’s clear that in the meantime there is still opportunity – as long as brands can convey their ability to deliver on a safe and responsible experience for customers.
“We are at the beginning of the end of the pandemic restrictions, but while we wait for the impact of global vaccine programmes, travel-loving Brits will find ways to scratch their holiday itch – if they can do so safely and securely.”