Further evidence of a marked swing towards the use of travel agents by older holidaymakers has been revealed in a new piece of research on the sector.
Silver Travel Advisor’s 2021 Industry Report, which surveyed more than 2,300 older travellers, found 49% would use a travel agent ‘to book a holiday that involves more than just a flight or a hotel booking’.
This figure has risen from 36% in January 2020, the last time the annual report was published.
Visiting an agent in person was the preference of 25% of respondents, up from 14% last year – before Covid-19 lockdowns.
The report found that financial security, flexible cancellation arrangements and health and safety reassurance are the biggest influences on this market’s choice of travel company, while destinations will be chosen according to their Covid rating, flight frequency, access to medical facilities and the quarantine rules on return to the UK.
Debbie Marshall, managing director of Silver Travel Advisor, said: “Light is beginning to appear at the end of tunnel. Vaccines are seen as the route out of lockdown and back onto the open road, once it’s safe to do so, for three in four older people.
“With its cancellations and challenges over refunds, the past year has highlighted the value of booking through a travel agent. The reassurance of having an agent to act as intermediary if things go wrong, as well as the advice and expertise they offer, is what seems to have driven up the number of people saying they would book with an agent.”
Silver Travel Advisor is an advice and reviews site for over-50s. Its findings were based on three surveys of registered users last year, in May, July and November, plus a poll of older customers of Advantage Travel Partnership agents in January 2021. Six out of 10 respondents were aged 60-69; 75% were retired; and two in three were ‘broadly in good health’.
Silver Travel Advisor Report 2021 key findings
Confidence
70% want to holiday abroad, a significant uptick since July 2020 and an indication of growing confidence in the idea of travelling again
57% of those without a current booking say they would fly within nine months, up from 44% in July, showing a drop in wariness of flying
Vaccine
95% are happy to have the vaccine and 77% would travel within six months of receiving it, but 34% do not intend to travel at all or, at least, not for now
Spending
86% say they will spend as much or more on travel in the next year, suggesting this age group has not been hit financially as hard as some
Cruise
49% of existing ocean cruisers are keen to cruise within a year and a further 34% will be happy to sail again with a vaccine, but 17% won’t return
75% of non-cruisers would consider a river cruise, but 14% of existing river cruisers say they won’t return
Escorted tours
92% of existing coach passengers will return to UK coach trips and 79% will take an overseas escorted tour again
72% who have never taken an escorted coach trip will consider one
Agents
52% cite the ‘reassurance of having someone to help if needed’ or ‘my agent helped me get a refund’ as reasons for booking with an agent
Insurance
93% say full Covid-19 cover in travel insurance is essential
Access the Silver Travel Advisor Report 2021 in full