Following heightened geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East, new data reveals a significant shift in British holidaymakers plans. With more than 800 respondents, primarily travel agent and tour operator sales staff agents based across the British Isles, the research* highlights a clear trend towards closer-to-home travel. Carried out by Travel Uni, the largest global training and engagement platform for the travel trade, and run in partnership with Discover Ferries, which represents 12 passenger ferry operators; the findings also highlight a growing preference this year for flight-free routes and domestic escapes.

The shift towards stability
Since the outbreak of war in the Middle East this year, four fifths (78%) of agents noted an increase** in consumer interest in closer-to-home European destinations and 39% saw an uplift in interest** for staycations across the UK and British Isles. Mode of transport has also become a more important factor when planning a holiday; 37% of travel operatives said there was increased interest** in ferry and rail travel with consumers actively seeking flight-free holidays.
As travellers navigate a more cautious booking landscape, the findings suggest a notable pivot in consumer confidence. Nine out of 10 (89%) respondents said their customers were more concerned over travel disruption and flight cancellations since the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East, and 87% said travellers were concerned about fuel surcharges and price hikes.
Furthermore, uncertainty has changed the booking window. With three quarters (74%) of agents seeing travellers waiting closer to the departure date to commit to travel, this trend reflects consumers’ desire to be agile in a volatile global situation.

Abby Penlington, Director of Discover Ferries says: “The disruption affecting international air travel this Spring is still firmly in holidaymakers’ minds when they are choosing what to book for the summer. As a result, both agents and ferry operators have seen the booking window shift closer to departure dates. The recent and forecasted heatwaves across the UK and southern Europe will also undoubtedly shape last-minute holidaymakers’ plans – as they choose to enjoy the British summertime or head for cooler climes. Whether it is a trip to the continent or a coastal staycation, ‘flight-free’ ferry travel offers passage to more than 80 destinations from UK ports and removes the stress of airport bottlenecks and fuel price instability.”

Dispelling fuel price myths
While many consumers fear that the geopolitical situation may trigger sudden spikes in travel costs, industry experts are keen to reassure travellers about the stability of ferry travel this summer.
Penlington continues: “It is important for both agents and travellers to understand that the fuel used for shipping is not the same as jet fuel, so ferry services are not exposed to fuel supply issues in the same way as airlines. Travellers can therefore feel reassured that ferries are a reliable, flight-free way to get away.”

Trip cost and duration
While concerns over fuel surcharges and price hikes are affecting the vast majority of travellers (87%), the recent conflict’s impact on cost of living has also meant holidaymakers have been looking to reduce the cost of their trip. Three fifths (59%) of agents noted that customers had shown increased** interested in cheaper trips. There’s also a rise in popularity for short breaks this year, with 45% of agents reporting increased** interest in shorter trips.
Penlington adds, “With the opportunity to travel with your own vehicle and take as much luggage as you like, for price-sensitive consumers, agents can underline the value included within a ferry ticket. And, with many operators extending offers on short breaks, travellers can snap up a good deal.”

Ian Dockreay, CEO of Equator Global and Travel Uni comments, “We are delighted to have worked so closely with Discover Ferries to complete this survey at a time when so many influences on travel demand merged to create an unprecedented combination of economic and geopolitical uncertainty. These findings help us to understand the impact of conflict and economic disruption in much better detail. They show how the public pivot, so as to continue to enjoy that all important holiday, maintaining a degree of wellbeing for all ages, during tough times.”
For travel agents, the findings offer clear insight into client behaviours and concerns when booking trips this summer. As agents look to provide both value and peace of mind for the remainder of the season, there is opportunity to leverage resilient, closer-to-home options to ensure that holidaymakers can travel with confidence.