Europeans feeling confident about holiday prospects in 2023

Three in four Europeans, and nearly four in five Brits, are confident they will go on holiday at some stage this year, while 35 per cent of Brits are very confident it will happen – despite economic challenges.

This is according to the Allianz Partners Vacation Confidence Index, which reveals trends in consumer trust and confidence levels in travel for 2023.

The survey was conducted by OpinionWay in early January 2023. A total of 9,337 people across Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, UK and Poland were polled.

However, one in five Brits do not have the money to travel at all this year, with 52 per cent saying that personal finances had lowered their travel aspirations, whether it was changing their duration, destination or cancelling plans altogether.

Of the countries surveyed, Switzerland is the most bullish about travel prospects, with 80 per cent confident of going on holiday in 2023, with Brits, Italians and Austrians not far behind on 79 per cent. Although the Netherlands was the least confident country, 68 per cent of Dutch still feel optimistic about vacation prospects this year.

Across demographics, the most confident about travelling this year are those aged 25-34 (78 per cent). Also, 76 per cent of those over 50, typically the least confident demographic, are confident they will travel this year.

Joe Mason, Chief Marketing Officer – Travel, Allianz Partners, said: “After a very challenging period in recent years for those wishing to travel, the level of confidence Europeans have in their ability to vacation is high for the rest of 2023.

“Despite the cost of living crisis, Europeans are exhibiting a level of enthusiasm for travel that points to a very prosperous immediate future for the industry as a whole.”