An increase in the price of holidays abroad is the major post-Brexit fear for British travellers, with other areas of concern reflecting the far-reaching implications of leaving the EU, reveals The World Travel Market 2017 Industry Report, released today (Monday 6 November) at WTM London.
The pound has weakened against the dollar and the euro since the referendum and many popular holiday destinations are already more expensive than before the vote. More than half (54%) the 1000-strong sample size said that they were concerned specifically about the worsening pound/euro exchange rate.
A similar proportion (52%) are worried about holidays in general becoming more expensive, while 45% are anxious about the costs of flights.
However, the World Travel Market 2017 Industry Report also reveals a range of other concerns which shows that many British travellers realise that leaving the European Union will have deep implications for overseas travel.
For example, more than one in three (38%) Brits is concerned about losing entitlement to free state healthcare in Europe with the future of the European Health Insurance Card in doubt.
One-third (33%) are nervous about the increased risk of queues at passport control.
And one-in-four expressed fears about losing the loss of free mobile roaming in Europe, a benefit which Brits have had thanks to the European Commission ruling. It is not known how the mobile phone operators will treat UK customers once the UK is not part of Europe.
Smaller but still significant worries felt by one-in-six of the sample include the loss of other consumer rights which are in place because of European legislation – 17% fear that holiday protection will suffer, with 16% concerned specifically about losing the delayed flight and denied boarding compensation scheme.
On the other hand, 24% of the sample said that they had no concerns around Brexit and its impact on their future holidays.
WTM London’s Paul Nelson, said; “Our travel-specific findings around Brexit could be a bellweather for how the country feels at the moment. Half the UK are worried about the costs, most Brits have some concerns but they are varied and a quarter of the population is saying that Brexit will not have any influence on them.
“As things stand, the British travel industry – inbound and outbound – needs to have some clarity from the negotiators around consumer protection, passport control and mobile phone bills, among other things.”
ENDS
About World Travel Market
World Travel Market (WTM) portfolio comprises five leading B2B events across four continents generating more than $7bn of industry deals. The events are;
WTM London, the leading global event for the travel industry, is the must-attend three-day exhibition for the worldwide travel and tourism industry. Around 51,500 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and international media visit ExCeL – London every November generating around £2.8 billion of travel industry contracts. http://london.wtm.com/. Next event: 6-8 Nov 2017 – London.
International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) now in its 20th edition, is the meeting place for the global B2B golf travel community. More than 600 golf tourism suppliers join 350 pre-qualified buyers and 100 international press for four days of unmissable pre-scheduled appointments, exclusive networking opportunities and invaluable industry and trend updates. Taking place in a different destination every year, IGTM brings together 1,400 golf tourism professionals from over 65 countries. http://igtm.wtm.com/. Next event: 11-14 Dec 2017 – Cannes.
WTM Latin America now in its fifth edition attracts about 9,000 unique senior executives. The event generates US$ 370 million of new business. Taking place in Sao Paulo Brazil, this show attracts a global audience to meet and shape the direction of the travel industry. More than 7,000 unique visitors attend the event to network, negotiate and discover the latest industry news. http://latinamerica.wtm.com/. Next event: 3-5 April 2018 – Sao Paulo.
WTM Africa launched in 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa. Nearly 5,000 travel industry professionals attend Africa’s leading inbound and outbound travel and tourism market. WTM Africa delivers a proven mix of hosted buyers, media, pre-scheduled appointments, on-site networking, evening functions and invited travel trade visitors. http://africa.wtm.com/. Next event: 18-20 April 2018 – Cape Town.
Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is the leading, international travel and tourism event in the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals. ATM 2017 attracted almost 40,000 industry professionals, agreeing deals worth US$2.5bn over the four days. The 24th edition of ATM showcased over 2,500 exhibiting companies across 12 halls at Dubai World Trade Centre, making it the largest ATM in its 24-year history. www.arabiantravelmarketwtm.com Next event 22-25 April 2018 – Dubai.
About Reed Exhibitions
Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events business, enhancing the power of face to face through data and digital tools at over 500 events a year, in more than 30 countries, attracting more than 7m participants.
About Reed Travel Exhibitions
Reed Travel Exhibitions is the world’s leading travel and tourism event’s organiser with a growing portfolio of more than 22 international travel and tourism trade events in Europe, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Our events are market leaders in their sectors, whether it is global and regional leisure travel trade events, or specialist events for meetings, incentives, conference, events (MICE) industry, business travel, luxury travel, travel technology as well as golf, spa and ski travel. We have over 35 years’ experience in organising world-leading travel exhibitions.
More information, please contact:
Paul Nelson – WTM Portfolio PR Manager
E.: paul.nelson@reedexpo.co.uk
T: +44 (0)20 8910 7032/ M: +44 (0)79 1955 5510
Natalia Hartmann – WTM Portfolio PR Executive