In just over three months, the UK will mark the fifth year since the first lockdown of the pandemic.
March 2020 was the start of what was arguably the most challenging period on record for the UK outbound travel industry, with international travel largely closed down, aircraft grounded, operations at a standstill and thousands of travel industry workers furloughed.
Over the five years that has followed, the market has made a remarkable recovery.
2024 has been notably strong –the first since the pandemic that has truly felt like a return to normality.
Despite numerous challenges, including political uncertainty, air traffic control strikes, unprecedented weather patterns, and an ongoing cost of living crisis, the industry has seen significantly fewer disruptions, showcasing its growing adaptability and strength.
The past 12 months have revealed that despite significant economic pressures, the desire for travel hasn’t just persisted – it has positively thrived.
UK outbound travel has emerged as a frontrunner in consumer spending, outperforming many other service sectors.
This tells us that even in the face of severe household budget constraints, people continue to prioritise travel experiences, and they remain a non-negotiable part of family budgets.
Across our national network of travel agency partners, bookings for the Christmas period saw a 12% rise over 2023, with the Canary Islands dominating festive bookings.
Tenerife, Lanzarote, and Gran Canaria have taken the top three spots, followed by the ever-popular Benidorm, proving that travellers continue to favour sun and beach holidays to escape the gloomy UK weather.
While Europe remains a strong favourite, long-haul travel continues to show robust performance.
The USA, Dubai, and Thailand are emerging as the most sought-after long-haul destinations this season.
This enduring demand reflects travellers’ desire for richer cultural experiences, with these destinations catering to diverse budgets.
Dubai attracts both luxury seekers and families looking for entertainment, while Thailand offers everything from budget backpacking to premium resorts.
City breaks continue to thrive, with established favourites like Budapest and Prague maintaining their appeal, while lesser-known destinations such as Porto and Gdansk are beginning to attract visitors with their exceptional value.
Looking ahead to 2025, bookings are already tracking 15% ahead of last year. Summer holidays lead the way, accounting for 55% of all reservations, with an average duration of 10 nights. Popular destinations mirror current trends, with Tenerife, Majorca, and Costa Blanca holding the top spots for European getaways, while the USA, the Caribbean, and Thailand lead international destinations.
The strength of trading throughout 2024 reflects the resilience of both our travel agent partners and the broader travel sector. We’re seeing new customers turn to travel agents not just for access to great deals, but for peace of mind when travelling.
As the UK travel industry enters a peak booking period, with approximately 60% of Brits booking their summer holidays by the end of February, we’ve come a long way from the dark days of the pandemic and the market shows no signs of slowing.
This reinforces what we’ve always known: travel isn’t just a luxury – it’s fundamental to human wellbeing.
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