Over three quarters of travellers have had to cancel a holiday
Over three quarters (79%) of Sawday’s guests have had to cancel or rearrange a holiday as a result of the coronavirus crisis. For 57% of these, the holiday has been cancelled altogether. When guests are able to travel again, they will want to get away as soon as they can.
Cleanliness and flexibility are the top concerns for guests
The most important factor for travellers when thinking about booking a holiday is ‘hygiene of the property’ (81%), followed by ‘flexibility of booking terms’ (64%) and ‘being able to pay with a credit card for financial security’ (60%). If you have not yet done so, sign up to our Clean & Safe charter and consider how you could be more flexible with your booking and payment terms.
UK travel is the priority in the short term, but Europe will bounce back
Two thirds of Sawday’s guests (67%) say their priority is domestic breaks, while 28% are opting for European breaks. The top European countries that Sawday’s guests hope to visit are France with 52%, followed by Italy (37%) and Spain (30%).
Travel plans pushed back to late summer and into 2021
When looking at the months ahead, many are planning to travel in 2021 (45%), with September (39%), October (32%) and August (21%) the most popular months for travel in 2020.
People want their own space: self-catering tops the accommodation wish list
Self-catering breaks are the most popular option in the short term with 69% saying this is the type of accommodation they are most interested in booking.
Shorter breaks will be the priority, and guests will travel with a partner or in smaller groups
The majority of guests, over 80%, are prioritising shorter breaks (2-7 nights) over longer holidays. Guest are most likely to travel as a couple (59%) or in a small group of immediate family or friends (31%).
It’s a waiting game as bookings look likely to come in last minute
A large proportion of guests (42%) will be booking last minute, waiting to see what travel restrictions are in place before committing. Over 30% are unsure when they will make a booking.
Guest will be looking for fun, to be in nature, to reconnect with family and friends and to take a break for mental health
When asked about the most important reasons for getting away, the top answers were just for fun (66%), reconnecting with family & friends (41%), being in nature (35%), and taking a break for mental health (29%).