Coronavirus: Majority of holidaymakers turning to domestic breaks, finds SiteMinder report

Coronavirus: Majority of holidaymakers turning to domestic breaks, finds SiteMinder report

Changing Traveller Report tracks booking trends during the COVID-19 pandemic

The majority of UK holidaymakers intend to take domestic trips this year according to a recent study by SiteMinder.

The global channel manager and guest acquisition platform for hoteliers, asked 580 UK consumers about their travel intentions as  COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

The study found that due to concerns about the ongoing pandemic holidaymakers are placing flexibility as a higher priority over cost.

SiteMinder’s Changing Traveller Report, revealed 52% anticipate taking a domestic trip some time this year.

When it comes to choosing their accommodation, the three most important factors to those holidaymakers now compared to before COVID-19 were:

  • Free cancellation/booking modification (37.02%)
  • Well-promoted health/safety practices (29.41)
  • Remote location/low levels of tourism (15.05)

Low price ranked as the fourth most important factor, selected by 14.19% of respondents.

Among those surveyed, more than a third (35%) said they were planning their next domestic trip and 10% are already in the process of booking.

Twenty-nine percent remained in the dreaming stage while 10% were on their trip. Only one-in-three said they were waiting until next year to travel again.

Additionally, a third of UK locals say they will take a shorter trip than they would have prior to COVID-19, and 48% will book their accommodation less than a month prior to departure.

James Bishop, senior director of global demand partnerships at SiteMinder, said: “It is welcomed news for the UK hospitality and travel industry that so many UK holidaymakers are embracing travel again and keen to support local accommodation providers.

“A level of caution among consumers is to be expected at this time, but our latest study and data from the SiteMinder World Hotel Index show us that consumer confidence is gradually building.”

Launched in April, the SiteMinder World Hotel Index is refreshed daily with the data sourced from the bookings of SiteMinder’s 35,000 customers, through more than 400 hotel booking channels.

According to the index, bookings at UK hotels soared from 9% of 2019 levels to 50.62% during the six weeks following June1 .

Bookings for hotels within Liverpool were strongest, ending at 49.26% YoY, followed by Bristol at 48.85% and Manchester at 48.44%.

Based on bookings made at UK hotels to date, 91.54% of hotel arrivals over the second half of 2020 will comprise domestic guests.