Travel Trends for 2016

Mar 15
06:45

2016

Lisa Jeeves

Lisa Jeeves

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Booked your holiday? Bought comprehensive travel insurance? Excited? Find out what other holidaymakers are planning for 2016 in our article on travel trends.

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Travel,Travel Trends for 2016 Articles like most other aspects of social human behaviour, is subject to trends, but what is to be the most likely pattern for travellers heading off on holiday this year? Two recent surveys carried out by the UK’s Sainsbury’s Travel Insurance, a company providing comprehensive travel insurance, give us a clear insight into what can be expected.

What Kind of Holiday Is Proving Most Popular in 2016?

According to the survey, this year will see the city break concept attract more travellers than any other kind of getaway. Up to 27% of adults surveyed stated that they are planning a city break in 2016. This is significantly greater than the percentage of people planning a beach holiday (13%), walking trip (10%) or spa break (8%).

How Much Will People Spend This Year?

On average, those surveyed said that they predict a holiday spend (not including extra spending money or comprehensive travel insurance) of £846 per person, and indeed one in seven people claimed to have been saving up throughout 2015 just so they could book the holiday of their choice this year. As many as 12% of people had booked their 2016 trip as far back as October last year, while another 12% said they would be booked by January this year. Credit cards are often used so that payments can be made in instalments.

Where Will People Book?

The survey results point to the fact that, while the majority of people are undecided on how they will book their trip, 26% of holidaymakers plan to book flights and accommodation separately, with only 13% planning to use an agent. If you have decided to book the components of your holiday separately, make sure you don’t forget to arrange comprehensive travel insurance as well.

Top Destinations for 2016

There is little doubt that destinations rise and fall in popularity depending on all manner of factors, but this year, according to ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents), there are twelve destinations that are emerging as the favourites. With 18% of those surveyed saying that, in 2016, they would travel to a country they have not been to before, and 23% saying that they are expecting to pay more on their holiday this year, it is no surprise that Abu Dhabi, Canada, China, Hawaii, Iceland and Iran are high on the list.

Other Trends

Among the other interesting trends highlighted by the survey is the fact that long-haul holidays are set to be more popular and that older holidaymakers are planning to travel further. According to the survey, the older generation are also expected to be booking more adventurous trips in 2016 than in previous years. This is great news for any travel insurers providing comprehensive travel insurance.