Reading Time: 2 minutes

The announcement of the snap UK general election in May led nearly a third of Brits to adjust their holiday plans, according to new research from Travel Counsellors, the UK’s largest and rapidly growing technology platform for travel entrepreneurs, connecting over 2,000 independent business owners.

Despite the impact of the general election on some holiday plans, the research suggests that the travel sector will remain robust over the next 12 months. A significant 85% of respondents indicated they would spend as much or more on travel in the coming year as they did in the previous year. Travel is set to remain the top spending priority for Brits, surpassing other discretionary categories like fashion, dining out, and home and garden renovations.

The survey of 2,000 nationally representative respondents revealed that:

– 16% of Brits have altered their holiday plans to be in the UK during the general election to vote in person.
– Another 14% have adjusted their holiday plans to be around during the build-up and the election, considering it an important moment for the UK.
– Additionally, 15% have planned their summer holidays around the Euros and the Olympics, choosing destinations where they can watch the events in person. This is supported by Travel Counsellors’ booking data, which shows a more than doubling of customer bookings for departures to Germany in June.

Steve Byrne, CEO of Travel Counsellors, commented on the findings: “Demand for summer holidays and travel remains exceptionally strong, with our research indicating it remains the top spending priority for consumers. This year, a significant number of people are making plans around key events such as the Euros, the Olympics, and the general election.

“At Travel Counsellors, we have seen very strong booking trends and consumer demand during the first half of the year, underscoring the enduring and growing importance of holidays in providing a much-needed escape and opportunity for relaxation.”