Thursday 24 December

Travelzoo Pan-European Survey reveals travel consumer optimism for 2010

Travelzoo, publisher of the original Top 20 list of the best travel & entertainment deals to more than 3.5 million subscribers across Europe, gave world destinations an early Christmas present when they announced the findings of their annual subscriber survey. The survey revealed that travel enthusiasts across Europe are planning to travel more in 2010 than they did in 2009.

Conducted among 9,359 travel enthusiasts in the UK, Germany, France and Spain between 22 November and 7 December 2009, the survey showed that 42% plan to travel more than in 2009, while 25% will travel the same amount as they did this year.

Respondents in the UK, where Travelzoo has over 1.6 million subscribers, were the most optimistic about their travel plans for 2010, with 55% saying they plan to travel more than in 2009.

UK respondents also plan to travel more frequently that their European counterparts, with 66% planning to take 1 - 2 holidays and 31% planning 3+ trips next year. Three quarters of trips will be outside of the UK. On average UK travellers expect to book 76 days in advance of travel, 91% say they have not yet booked their summer (our winter) holiday.

The survey also revealed that travel is a very important part of British life and deals play a big part in the decision making process. To ensure they could travel for leisure, 26% of respondents said they would give up dining out, 22% would give up home improvements and 52% would give up luxury goods. Half of all respondents said they would only book a holiday if it was a special deal.

Joel Brandon-Bravo Managing Director, Travelzoo UK said, “We are very pleased to see that our UK subscribers are upbeat about their plans for 2010. Our subscribers clearly see travel as a ‘must do’ element of their lives. This is encouraging news for the British travel industry as we prepare for peak booking season.”

The Travelzoo subscriber survey was conducted online with no incentives between 22 November and 7 December, 2009. 202,501 subscribers were invited to participate, 9,359 responded, a return rate of 4.6%.

Editors Comments: Before we get too excited about this brilliant news, we must remember that a majority of the holidays reported in this survey will be to European destinations but it's interesting to note that the overall attitude towards booking a holiday or holidays is so positive despite all the Global Financial Crisis doom mongering.  This is a great basis to build on and I hope, no I'm sure the tourism bodies and their worldwide agents, are taking note of this Euro-optimism...another job for the rapid response unit methinks ?