The study claims to reveal the biggest travel trends for the year ahead, based on consumer research and insight from the association’s members.
According to the report, almost a third (29%) of people say they have already booked an overseas package holiday for travel in the next 12 months, a trend Abta has described as “a getaway to get away” as consumers look to distance themselves from the challenges of everyday life back home.
Abta says the mental health benefits of taking a holiday could explain why holiday spending remains such a priority for the year ahead – with 93% of people telling its report “being on holiday improves their wellbeing and mental health”, with two-thirds (65%) attributing this boost to the chance to escape from the stresses of life.
"Hibernation holidays" are also expected by Abta to be popular in the months ahead, with 42% people planning to take a winter holiday and 22% of those seeking out winter sun.
According to Abta, this trend is reflected in booking patterns from members showing a rise in popularity for longer stays of 21, or as long as 28 nights, to winter sun hotspots in Europe such as the Canaries, Portugal and Malta, or long-haul destinations like Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Florida.
Further Abta trends for 2023 include high demand for all-inclusive holidays to help consumers balance their budgets – 29% of those surveyed are planning to take an all-inclusive break next year, with the association describing how members are “already seeing an increase” in all-inclusive sales to destinations such as the Balearics and Turkey.
Booking early is another emerging trend as holidaymakers look to pin down their holidays plans, the research claims, with Abta members reporting “strong forward bookings” for 2023 and the association’s consumer studying finding value for money as a “significant motivating factor”.
Around a third (31%) of people say they plan to book earlier than normal to get the best price for their holiday. However, the report claims, some want to wait to see the impact that the rising cost of living has on their finances before committing.
