DfT surveys on international travel during COVID-19: Wave 11 (8 to 10 March 2023)
Updated 26 September 2024
© Crown copyright 2024
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/international-travel-public-attitudes-during-covid-19/dft-surveys-on-international-travel-during-covid-19-wave-11-8-to-10-march-2023
Background
The Global Travel Taskforce (GTT) set out recommendations for progressing a risk-based reopening of international travel. Central to the framework enabling the safe reopening of international travel over the summer of 2021 was the introduction of a ‘traffic-light’ system. As part of this traffic light system, passengers were subject to testing and isolation travel requirements. To gain a better understanding of passengers’ future travel attitudes at that point in time, and how requirements such as testing and isolation may influence those attitudes, the Department for Transport (DfT) commissioned Ipsos to conduct public attitude research.
The aim of this project was to support ongoing work on COVID-19 and maximising the department’s contribution in promoting recovery in international travel. Specifically, the project contributes to building an evidence base to understand how COVID-19 affects public attitudes towards future international travel.
This research was designed to be a snapshot of people’s attitudes at the time of completing the survey, reflecting people’s views on major public announcements or policy changes to international travel. Questions demonstrate people’s best estimate for their future intentions at the time they were surveyed.
During the time of fieldwork (8 to 10 March 2023) all UK border travel restrictions had been removed. This removal took force from 18 March 2022. However, some other countries had inbound travel requirements, such as requiring proof of vaccination or needing a test to enter.
Methodology
The survey was commissioned by DfT and was conducted by Ipsos using their online panel. Quotas were set to secure a nationally representative sample of 2,251 UK adults aged between 16 and 75. Data was weighted to the known UK population profile. This wave of research was undertaken from 8 to 10 March 2023. During the time of fieldwork, all UK border travel restrictions had been removed. This removal took force from 18 March 2022. However, some other countries had inbound travel requirements, such as requiring proof of vaccination or needing a test to enter.
The ethical implications to this project were minimal as it did not collect, share or analyse sensitive personal information. Additionally, participants were able to give fully informed consent and were able to withdraw at any time. Data protection GDPR considerations were met by ensuring the project did not collect any special category or personally identifiable data for all waves.
Please be aware of the following caveats when reviewing this document:
-
There are many uncertainties associated with international travel, so questions demonstrate people’s best estimate of their future intentions at the time they were surveyed. However, as the domestic and global context changes, there may be changes in people’s responses. Findings presented here represents a snapshot of attitudes at the time of completing the survey.
-
Percentages may not sum to 100% due to selecting multiple responses or due to rounding of percentages in single code responses.
-
Some questions were asked to all participants, and some were asked to a filtered sample. Please keep this in mind when citing figures from this document. To reflect this, percentages and sample sizes for each question are given below tables or followed in brackets after statements.
Summary of Wave 11 findings
Wave 11 had a sample of 2,251 UK adults aged 16 to 75. Fieldwork was conducted between 8 and 10 March 2023:
-
approximately 1 in 5 (19%) of UK adults surveyed said they plan to travel outside of the UK for leisure in the next 3 months, while a little under a fifth (19%) of UK adults surveyed stated they do not plan to travel abroad for leisure within the next 12 months (n=2,251)
-
around half (41%) of UK adults surveyed (n=2,251) stated they were likely to travel abroad for a holiday before the end of May 2023
-
the most common reason for not planning to travel abroad for leisure (n=1,399) before the end of May 2023 was financial concerns (37% of respondents)
-
over half (51%) of UK adults surveyed (n=2,251) were concerned over their personal financial situation, similarly over half (53%) said that due to their concerns around the cost of living, they would spend less on holidays abroad this year
-
of those who responded that they would save money by spending less on holidays this year (n=1,161), the most common way of saving money was to reduce the number of overseas holidays (28% of respondents)
-
the most common factor cited as important in deciding on a holiday (n=2,251) was the overall cost of the holiday (82%)
-
the method of travel considered expensive by the most respondents (n=2,251) was cruise (39%) while the method considered cheap by the most respondents was ferry (22%)
Full research findings
Previous travel abroad activity
All respondents (n=2,251) were asked about their travel habits in 2019 and 2022.
Thinking back to the whole of 2019, did you travel for these reasons, or not?
Just under two-thirds (62%) of UK adults travelled abroad for leisure or to visit friends and family in 2019, with one quarter (25%) travelling abroad for business and around one-third (35%) not travelling abroad in 2019.
Thinking back to the whole of 2019, did you travel abroad for these reasons, or not?
Of those who travelled abroad for leisure or to visit friends or relatives in 2019 (n=1,405), 87% travelled by plane, with 19% travelling by ferry, 35% by train and 8% by cruise.
Thinking back to the whole of 2022, did you travel abroad for these reasons, or not?
Approximately half (53%) of UK adults travelled abroad for leisure or to visit friends and family in 2022, with around 1 in 5 (19%) travelling abroad for business and just under half (46%) not travelling abroad in 2022.
Of those who travelled abroad for leisure or to visit friends or relatives in 2022 (n=1,180), 84% travelled by plane, with 22% travelling by ferry, 22% by train and 8% by cruise.
International leisure travel plans
All respondents (n=2,251) were asked about their future international leisure travel plans.
Which of these best reflects your current plans to travel for leisure outside the UK?
| Response | Percentage of responses (%, all respondents) | Percentage of responses (%, those who travelled abroad for leisure or to visit friends or relatives in 2022) | Percentage of responses (%, those who travelled abroad for leisure or to visit friends or relatives in 2019) |
|---|---|---|---|
| I am planning to do this in the next 3 months | 19 | 30 | 26 |
| I am planning to do this in the next 3 to 6 months | 22 | 32 | 29 |
| I am planning to do this in the next 6 to 12 months | 19 | 27 | 26 |
| I am planning to do this at some time after the next 12 months | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| I will not travel for leisure outside of the UK within the next year | 19 | 6 | 8 |
| None of these | 11 | 3 | 5 |
| Don’t know | 9 | 6 | 7 |
Base: All respondents n=2,251: Travelled abroad for leisure or to visit friends or relatives in 2022, n=1,194. Travelled abroad for leisure or to visit friends or relatives in 2019, n=1,412. Respondents were able to select multiple answers, so answers do not sum to 100%. Fieldwork: 8 March to 10 March 2023.
Around 1 in 5 (19%) of UK adults surveyed said they plan to travel outside of the UK for leisure by the end of May 2023.
A little under a fifth (19%) of UK adults surveyed stated they do not plan to travel abroad for leisure within the next 12 months. This was lower amongst those who travelled abroad for leisure in 2022 and 2019, where less than 1 in 10 (6% and 8% respectively) stated they do not plan to travel abroad for leisure within the next 12 months.
Travel likelihood
Respondents were asked about their likelihood to travel outside of the UK. Respondents were told that while there were no COVID-19 related requirements for entering the UK, other countries may have different requirements.
How likely or unlikely do you think you would be to travel outside the UK between now and the end of May 2023 for a holiday, short trip or city break?
| Response | Percentage of responses (%, all respondents) | Percentage of responses (%, those who travelled abroad for leisure or to visit friends or relatives in 2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Very/fairly likely | 41 | 60 |
| Very/fairly unlikely | 50 | 38 |
| Not applicable, I never make these types of journeys abroad | 9 | 2 |
Base: All respondents n=2,251: Travelled abroad for leisure or to visit friends or relatives in 2022 n=1,194. Fieldwork: 8 March to 10 March 2023.
Under half (41%) of UK adults surveyed said they would be likely to travel abroad for a holiday before the end of May 2023. This is lower than the 6 in 10 (60%) of those who had travelled abroad for leisure in 2022 who said they were likely to.
Half (50%) of UK adults surveyed said they would be unlikely to travel abroad for a holiday before the end of May 2023. This is more than the 38% of those who had travelled abroad for leisure in 2022 who said they were unlikely to travel outside of the UK over this period.
You said you are unlikely to travel outside of the UK to go for a holiday, short trip or city break or to visit friends or relatives outside the UK between now and the end of May 2023. Which, if any, of these are your reasons for this?
| Response | Percentage of responses (%, all respondents unlikely to travel abroad by the end of May) | Percentage of responses (%,those who are unlikely to travel abroad by the end of May but did travel in 2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Financial concerns | 37 | 30 |
| Prioritising UK leisure trips | 16 | 11 |
| Concern about getting ill abroad | 7 | 4 |
| Concern about strike action at UK airports (for example, Border Force) | 6 | 6 |
| Concern about strike action affecting travel to UK airports (for example. rail strikes) | 6 | 6 |
| Concerns about destination imposing short notice travel restrictions (for example, quarantine) | 5 | 6 |
| Concerns about conflict (for example, Ukraine) | 5 | 3 |
| Increased processing time at borders | 5 | 4 |
| Impact of travel on environment | 5 | 4 |
| Concerns about continuing rules and regulations (for example, mask wearing, social distancing) | 4 | 5 |
| Concern UK government will impose restrictions upon re-entry at short notice | 3 | 4 |
| Concern about insurance or cancellation | 3 | 3 |
| Concerns about getting a valid passport in time | 3 | 3 |
| Other | 13 | 15 |
| None, would never normally travel in this period | 30 | 31 |
Base: All respondents unlikely to travel abroad for leisure or to visit friends or relatives before the end of May 2023 n=1,399. Respondents who are unlikely to travel abroad by the end of May but did travel in 2022 n=663. Respondents were able to select multiple answers, so answers do not sum to 100%. Fieldwork: 8 March to 10 March.
The most common reason for not planning to travel outside of the UK for leisure before the end of May 2023 was financial concerns (37%). The next most common answer was that they wouldn’t normally travel abroad during the time period, which around a third of respondents reported (30%). The other top reasons included prioritising UK leisure trips (16%), concerns about getting ill abroad (7%), concern about strike action at UK airports (6%) and concern about strike action affecting travel to UK airports (6%).
Amongst those who travelled abroad in 2022 for leisure, the most commonly cited reason for not planning to travel for leisure outside of the UK before the end of May 2023 was that they wouldn’t normally travel abroad during the time period (31%) and financial concerns (30%).
Travel intent before the end of May 2023
Respondents were told that while there were no COVID-19 related requirements for entering the UK, other countries may have different requirements.
When it comes to travelling for leisure outside of the UK - for example, on holiday, or a short trip such as a city-break, or to see family/friends - during the period between now and the end of May 2023, which statements apply to you?
| Response | Percentage of responses (%, all respondents) | Percentage of responses (%, those who travelled abroad for leisure or to visit friends or relatives in 2022) |
|---|---|---|
| I have a booking for travel | 14 | 24 |
| I have a booking for accommodation abroad | 11 | 17 |
| I have researched travel or accommodation intend to make a booking | 13 | 21 |
| I have not booked or researched travel abroad, but I will do in the future | 19 | 18 |
| At the moment, I am not planning to travel abroad outside of the UK for leisure at all | 43 | 30 |
| Don’t know | 10 | 7 |
Base: All respondents n=2,251: Those who travelled abroad for leisure or to visit friends or relatives 2022 n=1,194. Participants could select more than one answer, so percentages do not sum to 100%. Fieldwork: 8 March to 10 March 2023.
When asked about their plans for leisure travel abroad before the end of May 2024, under half (43%) of UK adults surveyed stated that they were not planning to travel abroad for leisure at all during this period. The next most common response was that they had not booked or researched but were planning on doing so in the future (19%). Smaller proportions reported that they already had a booking for travel (14%), researched travel or accommodation and intended to book (13%), and already had a booking for accommodation (11%).
Compared with all UK adults, fewer (30%) of those who had travelled abroad for leisure or visiting friends or relatives in 2022 reported that they were not planning to travel abroad for leisure before the end of May 2023. The most common response (30%) was also that they were not planning to travel abroad for leisure at all during that period but there was a higher proportion of those who had a booking for travel (24%).
You said you are very or fairly likely to travel outside the UK between now and the end of May 2023, for leisure purposes. Which mode(s) do you plan to use to travel abroad?
Respondents who stated they were very likely to travel outside of the UK before the end of May 2023 for leisure purposes or visiting friends and family (n=1,086) were asked about what mode of travel they would use to get to their destination. Respondents were asked about the booking that was due to take place first if they had multiple bookings.
Around two thirds (64%) of those who were very or fairly likely to travel before the end of May 2023 (n=1,086) were planning to travel by plane. Around 3 in 10 (29%) were planning to travel by train, with smaller amounts planning on travelling by ferry (17%) and cruise (6%). There was also a small group (10%) who did not know what mode they would travel by.
You mentioned you had a booking for travel outside the UK between now and the end of May 2023 for leisure purposes. Please indicate what you intend to do with this booking.
Of the UK adults surveyed who stated they had a booking for travel outside of the UK before the end of May 2023 for leisure purposes (n=340), over 4 in 5 (87%) stated that they planned to go ahead with their booking. Nearly 1 in 10 (7%) said that they planned to change the duration of their booking. A small proportion planned to reschedule their booking for after May 2023 (3%) or did not know what they were going to do with their booking (2%).
Still thinking about the booking to travel abroad for leisure, between now and the end of May 2023, have you booked a flexible ticket for this trip, or not – which of these apply?
Out of the respondents who had booked travel for a known mode of transport (n=340), approximately 1 in 5 (21%) had chosen a flexible ticket, while roughly 4 in 10 (42%) had chosen not to book a flexible ticket. Of the remainder, nearly 3 in 10 quarter (31%) said that the option of a flexible ticket was not available to them, while a smaller amount stated that they didn’t know (4%e) or not applicable as their travel was not yet booked (2%).
Attitudes to travel abroad
Respondents were asked about how strongly they agreed or disagreed with different statements relating to travel abroad, any financial concerns.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with these statements about travelling abroad?
All respondents
| Response | I am worried about my personal financial situation (percentage of responses, %) | Given concerns about the cost of living, I won’t go on holiday abroad this year at all (percentage of responses, %) |
|---|---|---|
| Agree | 51 | 38 |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 25 | 20 |
| Disagree | 22 | 36 |
| Don’t know/ Not applicable | 2 | 7 |
Base: All respondents n=2,251. Responses may not sum to 100% due to rounding. Fieldwork 8 March to 10 March 2023.
Those who had responded that they travelled abroad for leisure in 2022
| Response | I am worried about my personal financial situation (percentage of responses, %) | Given concerns about the cost of living, I won’t go on holiday abroad this year at all (percentage of responses, %) |
|---|---|---|
| Agree | 47 | 28 |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 27 | 20 |
| Disagree | 25 | 50 |
| Don’t know/ Not applicable | 2 | 3 |
Base: Respondents who travelled abroad for leisure or to visit friends or relatives in 2022 n=1,194. Responses may not sum to 100% due to rounding. Fieldwork 8 March to 10 March 2023.
You mentioned that you will spend less on holiday abroad this year. Which, if any, of the following ways are you considering to reduce the cost of holidaying abroad?
| Response | Percentage of responses (%, all respondents who say they will spend less on holidays abroad this year) | Percentage of responses (%, respondents who say they will spend less on holidays abroad this year, and who travelled abroad for leisure in 2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Going on fewer holidays abroad this year | 28 | 31 |
| Spending less whilst on holiday, for example, food, drink, entertainment | 24 | 28 |
| Going to a cheaper destination abroad this year | 24 | 30 |
| Going on shorter holidays | 23 | 23 |
| Spending less on accommodation | 22 | 27 |
Base: All respondents who will spend less on holidays abroad this year n=1,161. Respondents who travelled abroad for leisure in 2022 and will spend less on holidays abroad this year n=608. Respondents were able to select multiple answers, so answers do not sum to 100%. Fieldwork: 8 March to 10 March 2023.
Respondents who had stated they planned to spend less on holiday this year were asked how they were considering reducing the cost of their holiday. The most common answer was going on fewer holidays this year, which close to 3 in 10 (28%) respondents gave as an answer. Other popular answers included spending less whilst on holiday (24%), going to a cheaper destination (24%), going on shorter holidays (23%) and spending less on accommodation (22%).
Of those who had travelled outside of the UK for leisure in 2022, the most common answers were going on fewer holidays abroad this year (31%) and going to a cheaper destination (30%).
Thinking about travelling abroad for a holiday. How important, if at all, are each of the following factors to you when planning your trip?
| Response | Important (percentage of responses, %) | Not important (percentage of responses, %) | Don’t know (percentage of responses, %) | Not applicable (percentage of responses, %) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The overall cost of the holiday | 82 | 8 | 3 | 7 |
| The specific travel destination | 78 | 10 | 4 | 8 |
| The place I depart from (airport, port, train station) being convenient for me to get to | 78 | 11 | 3 | 8 |
| How long it takes me to travel to the destination from the UK | 67 | 22 | 3 | 8 |
| Whether there are likely to be delays and/or disruption at the borders (UK or abroad) | 64 | 23 | 5 | 8 |
| Being able to travel by public transport to the point of departure (airport, ferry port) | 55 | 33 | 4 | 8 |
| My mode of travel being more of an environmentally friendly option | 45 | 40 | 7 | 8 |
Base: All respondents n=2,251. Participants could select more than one answer, so percentages do not sum to 100%. Fieldwork: 8 March to 10 March 2023.
Among UK adults surveyed, over 4 in 5 (82%) considered the overall cost of the holiday to be important, while less than 1 in 10 (8%) did not consider it important. Other factors that many considered important included the specific travel destination (78%), the place of departure being convenient to get to (78%), and how long it takes to travel to the destination (67%).
Thinking about different ways to travel abroad, please tell us what your impressions are about each of these different modes.
Respondents were asked which attributes they associated with various modes of transport. They were allowed to select multiple attributes for each mode.
| Response | Eurostar (travelling by train as a foot passenger) (percentage of responses, %) | Eurotunnel (travelling by train on a car or coach) (percentage of responses, %) | Plane (percentage of responses, %) | Ferry (percentage of responses, %) | Cruise (percentage of responses, %) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Convenient | 22 | 25 | 40 | 18 | 8 |
| Comfortable | 20 | 15 | 21 | 15 | 23 |
| Enjoyable to travel | 18 | 13 | 24 | 18 | 22 |
| Expensive | 17 | 13 | 28 | 12 | 39 |
| Reliable | 16 | 17 | 23 | 14 | 9 |
| Good to travel with families | 11 | 14 | 15 | 19 | 12 |
| Cheap | 10 | 11 | 12 | 22 | 4 |
| Flexible | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 6 |
| Environmentally friendly | 14 | 11 | 4 | 10 | 6 |
| None of the above | 7 | 8 | 7 | 12 | 8 |
| Don’t know/ I am unfamiliar with this mode of transport | 28 | 28 | 4 | 18 | 25 |
Base: All respondents n=2,251. Participants could select more than one answer, so percentages do not sum to 100%. Fieldwork: 8 March to 10 March 2023.
Of the UK adults surveyed, the mode of travel most associated with being expensive was cruises, with over 1 in 3 (39%) UK adults surveyed considering it as such. This can be contrasted with the mode most associated with being cheap, which was travel by ferry, with over 1 in 5 (22%) of respondents considering it cheap.
Travel by plane was considered the most convenient mode of transport, with 4 in 10 (40%) respondents assigning it this attribute. This was the largest proportion of any attribute assigned to a mode of transport.
Over 1 in 4 (28%) of respondents selected that they did not know what attributes they would assign to or were unfamiliar with Eurostar as a mode of transport and the same proportion unfamiliar with Eurotunnel as a mode of transport, while only a small proportion (4%) felt the same about planes as a mode of transport.