Consumers return to high street travel agents

Travel Trade Gazette research has revealed that In the last 12 months, 25% of those surveyed booked through a high street travel agent compared to 17% the previous year.

The number booking through a tour operator, as opposed to booking direct with airlines and accommodation, has also increased from 24% to 28%.

The research shows that women and young people are more likely to book with a high street travel agent, with 31% of women using this channel compared to 19% of men.

The proportion of 16-24 year olds using high street agents was 32% while only 15% of 45-54 year olds did so.

Consumers do not intend to cut back on their holiday spend.

“It’s been a trying year in the market so we threw that question in there: if you’re going to cut back, what are you unwilling to cut back on?” said head of communications (ABTA) Victoria Bacon.

She revealed that 37% of men and 38% of women surveyed said they would be unwilling to cut back on a holiday. Far fewer said they could not go without eating out, leisure activities, new electronic gadgets and home improvements.