Covid regulations continue to cool UK travel enthusiasm

Almost half of UK holidaymakers are still reluctant to travel abroad due to the changeable coronavirus pandemic situation, according to a survey by GoCompare Insurance.

The survey, which was carried out among 3,000 UK consumers in early December – before the emergence of the Omicron variant – found that 46 per cent of respondents said they were unwilling to leave the UK.

Of those people, 62 per cent said the pandemic was the main reason for their reluctance, with the possibility of being stuck abroad due to rapid regulatory changes being the top reason credited. In close second place was the prospect of having to cancel trips, and in third place was a fear of catching the virus while abroad.

Richard Jones, Travel Insurance Expert at GoCompare, said: “Unfortunately, travel companies shouldn’t expect the industry to bounce back to full capacity in 2022. There is still a clear divide in public opinion about whether they plan to go abroad this year.

Most UK international travellers remain cautious of travelling too far afield

Only 15 per cent of respondents said that they were planning to book a break in January. Of those, the majority of UK travellers were planning to stay close to home, more than half (55 per cent) planned to go to Europe, with only seven per cent planning to visit the next most popular region, North America. Asia came third, with just four per cent preferring to travel there.

A quarter of people surveyed also said they were looking to book a beach break; 14 per cent are planning a ‘staycation’; and 12 per cent are considering a city break.

However, despite the prevailing uncertainty amongst many respondents, 40 per cent of individuals surveyed said they were not planning to take out travel insurance for their holiday this year.

Jones added: “While many insurers are now providing cover for Covid-19 related risks, be sure to check each policy carefully for your individual needs.”