British nationals vacationing overseas this year are showing “strong” demand for Barbados.
The new Travel Trends Report 2016 just issued by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) expects the island and several other destinations to benefit from a “cautiously positive” forecast which shows that overseas holiday bookings were up nine per cent when compared to last year.
Additionally, ABTA, said “economic recovery seems set to continue and almost a quarter (23 per cent) of the population are expecting to spend more on their holidays in 2016, up slightly from 20 per cent who said the same this time last year”.
“Tried and trust destinations look set to benefit from geopolitical uncertainty and it is likely that Spain will be 2016’s top destination: bookings are already tracking well ahead of 2015. Likewise, other European destinations like Portugal and Italy are seeing healthy numbers and are also benefiting from a strong pound bringing down the cost of day to day expenses for British holidaymakers,” the report found.
“Away from Europe, ABTA members have reported that bookings to Cuba, Cape Verde, Kenya and Thailand have been very healthy for 2015 and are looking positive for 2016. Demand for Jamaica, Barbados, and the [United Arab Emirates] is also strong for 2016.”
The report also noted that “the threat of terrorism has impacted public mood in the second half of 2015 and this may affect holiday decisions for 2016”.
“British holidaymakers have traditionally proven to be resilient travellers and it is likely that this will continue in 2016. Almost one in five people (18 per cent) say they will travel to a country they have never been to before in 2016, compared to nine per cent who said this last year. Furthermore, nearly a quarter (23 per cent) say they will try a new resort or city (even if they have visited the country before) compared to ten per cent who said this last year.”
