Almost four million Brits are still planning to holiday abroad during 2021, according to a report released by easyJet holidays.
Spain tops the list of destinations, followed by France, Italy, Greece and Cyprus, for the 3.8 million estimated to be heading for a ‘great late escape’.
Almost half (1.7 million) will be heading overseas for the October half-term holiday period, in time for new Covid testing rules which will make their return to UK cheaper.
Lateral flow tests will be introduced in place of PCRs from October 24 for fully-jabbed passengers and most under-18s arriving in England from countries not on the red travel list.
They will be available to book via a list of private providers from Friday (October 22).
The operator commissioned research among more than 2,000 adults for its annual Taking the Temperature report.
The study found that one in five (21%) Brits currently have a holiday abroad booked, with almost a quarter (24%) of those bookings being made in September 2021.
Almost three in 10 (28%) Brits now feel more confident about travelling abroad because of recent relaxations of travel rules.
Matt Callaghan, customer director at easyJet holidays, said: “With foreign travel becoming a lot easier and simpler for families, friends and solo travellers, we’re seeing even higher levels of consumer confidence in bookings for holidays abroad for the rest of this year.”
Beach holidays in the sun remain the most popular type of holiday, with all-inclusive options being the top choice, according to easyJet holidays booking data.
Demands for increased flexibility are also set to stay with more than half (56%) saying that they will be paying more attention to the terms and conditions of holiday bookings, compared to before the pandemic.
However, continued uncertainty about Covid-19 restrictions tops the list of reasons why some Brits aren’t booking a holiday (25%).