Rise of Covid-19 infections could jeopardise summer travel
Despite staycation demand in the UK being strong, the rise in Covid-19 infections and the requirement to self-isolate if ‘pinged’ could jeopardise summer plans says analytics company GlobalData
According to a GlobalData poll, domestic holidays are set to be the most popular in the coming 12 months, with 30 per cent of UK respondents opting for this type of trip, marginally lower than the 32 per cent of global respondents preferring domestic travel. With restrictions continuously changing for international travel, domestic holidays seem a safer bet in the immediate term.
Gus Gardner, Associate Travel and Tourism Analyst at GlobalData, commented: “The large spike in cases across the UK could reduce some travellers’ confidence. With cases rising, travellers are more likely to adopt a cautious approach towards summer travel. Travel businesses preparing for a busy summer could experience a wave of cancelations or postponements as some shy away from crowded tourism areas as cases rise, despite restrictions easing.”
The ‘pingdemic’ has hit the UK hard, with 618,903 people receiving a notification via the NHS app to self-isolate in the period between 8 and 14 July. This is a 17-per-cent rise from the previous week.
Over half of UK residents plan staycations
Meanwhile, new research from Churchill Motor Insurance has revealed that some 29 million people in the UK (55 per cent) are planning to staycation this year, with the average journey predicted to be a whopping 236-mile round trip. In terms of destination the South West is the most popular, with one in seven drivers (15 per cent) planning to visit the area this year. Completing the top five UK holiday destinations are Scotland (10 per cent), South East England (nine per cent), the North West and Wales (both eight per cent).
However, Gardner added: “With a record number pinged, travel is likely to experience disruption this summer. A period of isolation is on the cards for those pinged and being restricted to home quarantine will impact holiday bookings. Pinged individuals with imminent bookings are likely to cancel as they can no longer travel.
“Despite restrictions easing and the hope for a summer revival being high, the ‘pingdemic’ has the potential to restrict travel and inhibit the UK’s domestic recovery.”
LV=General Insurance recently highlighted the importance of taking out travel insurance, even for holidays at home.