Younger people more confident travelling

[9th April] Consumer behaviour shows an upward trend in travel sentiment, particularly amongst younger audiences. Overall, just over a quarter of UK adults feel safe flying right now, and 35% feel safe staying in a hotel, according to Deloitte’s State of the Consumer Tracker. Of those planning to travel for leisure in the next three months, 26% expect to stay in a hotel, while 24% will opt for private accommodation.

40% of 18-34-year olds feel safe flying, with 46% confident staying in a hotel. Despite this, the majority who are expecting to travel in the next three months will stay in private accommodation (35%) compared to hotels (33%). Plans to hire cars and undertake domestic travel are on an upward trend, compared to international travel plans which remain in decline. Only 27% of 18-34- year olds are making plans to go abroad in the next three months.

Despite high levels of vaccinations amongst older audiences, only 16% of those aged 55 and over feel safe flying, and 26% staying in a hotel. Looking to future plans, the majority of this age group intend to stay in a hotel (21%) in the next three months, however only 5% have plans to take a domestic flight, and 8% plan to travel internationally. This puts the case forward for domestic breaks in Northern Ireland looking highly likely, offering the chance to get away from home for a while, without needing to leave the island.