A thousand consumers were surveyed for WTM London’s Industry Report 2021, revealed on the first day of WTM London, with encouraging results for the UK travel sector.

More than a fifth of respondents (22%) said they will take at least one holiday, 29% said they will take two, and 20% said they intend to travel three or more times next year.

The pandemic has also left a significant number of consumers with more disposable cash than before the Covid-19 pandemic.

One in five told WTM London they are better off financially now than in 2019, and more than half of those said they intend to use the extra money on holidays in 2022.

Beach holidays will be booked more than any other kind of trip, followed by city breaks.

More than half of respondents said they were more likely to travel by car on their next holiday, whether in the UK or overseas, than they had been before the pandemic; in order to minimise contact with other people.

Travel firms due to attend WTM London were mixed in their predictions for next year.

Of the 676 companies that took part in the survey, 44% said they expect bookings to match or exceed 2019 levels next year. However a similar proportion (42%) expected booking levels to be down in 2022 compared to 2019.

Simon Press, WTM London exhibition director, said: “The trade has been reporting widespread pent-up demand for travel throughout the pandemic, however, the uncertainty and confusion about travel rules has deterred many would-be holidaymakers until now.

“With more optimism about borders opening up and further easing of travel restrictions, it looks likely that all those long-held holiday plans will be fulfilled, giving the industry the chance to recover as we return to more normal travel patterns.”