Expansion of the green list is a priority for the industry as major new research suggests consumers are almost three times as likely to book a green destination as an amber one.
Two in five UK adults are considering an overseas holiday in the next 12 months and more than half of these (51%) are likely to book a green destination compared with 18% who would consider amber destinations, a survey by BVA BDRC revealed exclusively to Travel Weekly suggests.
However, one in four said they would not book anywhere under the traffic light system.
The research, conducted in the week of May 17 when limited outbound holiday travel resumed, suggests lack of confidence that trips will go ahead is a major factor.
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Asked whether they were confident an overseas trip could go ahead, just 32% responded ‘yes’ to a booking for July, 39% for August, 44% for September and 46% for October. By contrast, 54% of respondents were confident domestic holidays would go ahead in July and 60% in August.
Almost two‑thirds (63%) blamed government restrictions for their lack of confidence, with 61% concerned at the risk of quarantine on return to the UK and 52% worried about having to quarantine in a destination.
The researchers noted: “At no point this year are more than half the UK population confident an overseas trip would go ahead.”
At the same time, only a minority (23%) felt ‘very confident’ they understood the traffic light system, rising to two in five (38%) among those planning an overseas trip. However, an additional 49% were ‘fairly confident’ meaning almost nine out of 10 felt they have a reasonable understanding.
BVA BDRC director Jon Young said: “People need reassurances that restrictions won’t change at the drop of a hat, leaving them needing to unexpectedly quarantine.”
However, he noted: “The dominance of government restrictions in driving low confidence may provide a chink of light for the travel industry. It suggests confidence will increase if restrictions continue to be reduced.”
BVA BDRC polled 1,750 UK adults in the week of May 17 for its forthcoming Holiday Trends 2021 report.
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