The study of 1,089 Brits between 28 September and 12 October 2020 reports that overall more than a third questioned (38%) said that they do not usually book travel through a travel agent, but of that group, 36% said they will use a travel agent in the future.
The “millennial” 25-34 age bracket were least likely to currently book with a travel agent (62%), but the study revealed 44% of them would do in the future.
Respondents cited “advice”, “expertise” and “the reassurance of having someone to help if travel plans need to change”, as the main reasons for now favouring an agent over booking online.
Advantage said that over-65s remained the largest group to favour of using an agent (77%), closely followed by the 18-24 year age group (76%).
The survey also revealed future travel plans – with three-quarters of respondents saying they would travel either domestically or overseas within the next 3-6 months if restrictions permitted them to do so.
The most popular type of travel experience was a UK break, closely followed by a European mini-break and a winter sun holiday.
The Advantage data indicating that confidence to travel overseas on both short-haul and long-haul trips “increases with time”, with 80% of respondents saying they will travel overseas after summer 2021, compared to only 42% in February 2021 half-term and 66% between the May Bank Holiday and the 2021 summer holidays.
When it came to Covid testing, more than 55% of respondents said using a double testing method to reduce quarantine to 5-10 days on arrival back to the UK would provide them with the confidence to travel abroad now.
57% said they would be prepared to pay for a test if it meant they could travel freely to a restricted destination and 32% would prefer the test to be arranged for them and be included in the cost of their holiday.
The results found the younger the age group, the more willing they are to pay for a test to travel, with 79% of 18 – 24 year olds confirming they would pay for a test to travel contrasted with 56% of over-65s who would not be prepared to do so.
The data also suggests more than half of people are looking for free cancellation or a rebooking options within 48 hours of departure to give them the confidence to book and travel in the next three months.
22% said they would currently feel comfortable booking their next holiday less than 14 days before departure.
“We know that consumer confidence has been severely impacted over the past six months, but it is reassuring to see that consumers do value the services that travel agents provide and would trust them to book their travel in the future, especially among the younger age groups who historically will dynamically package their own trips,” said Advantage chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said.
“Throughout the pandemic, travel agents have demonstrated their value and have often been the first port of call for travellers when things go wrong, providing that all-important human element during times of uncertainty.
“It’s also positive to see from the results that if the UK government implements a testing system, travellers would be prepared to pay for a test and would have the confidence to travel without being caught out by quarantine changes.
“Grant Shapps said this week that there will be a private sector testing regime by 1 December, dependent on testing firm capacity. We are certain that this will help to repair consumer confidence and get people travelling again which is critical to the survival of many travel agent businesses up and down the country.”
