DfT surveys on international travel during COVID-19: Wave 9 (1 to 3 March 2022)
Updated 26 September 2024
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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, DfT commissioned Ipsos MORI 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.
At the time of fieldwork (1 to 3 March 2022), there were no testing requirements for fully vaccinated arrivals. Arrivals who were not fully vaccinated needed to complete a passenger locator form, provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken 2 days before travel to the UK and take a COVID-19 test by the second day of their arrival in the UK. Following fieldwork, on 18 March, all COVID-19 border health measures were lifted.
Methodology
The survey was commissioned by DfT and was conducted by Ipsos MORI using their online panel. Quotas were set to secure a nationally representative sample of 2,256 UK adults aged between 16 to 75. Data was weighted to the known UK population profile. This wave of research was undertaken from 1 to 3 March 2022.
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.
Wave 9 had a sample of 2,256 UK adults aged 16 to 75. At the time of fieldwork (1 to 3 March 2022), there were no testing requirements for fully vaccinated arrivals. Arrivals who were not fully vaccinated needed to complete a passenger locator form, provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken 2 days before travel to the UK and take a COVID-19 test by the second day of their arrival in the UK. Following fieldwork, on 18 March, all COVID-19 border health measures were lifted.
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. Please be aware that findings presented here represent a snapshot of attitudes at the time of completing the survey.
- Please also be aware, 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 9 findings
Wave 9 had a sample of 2,256 UK adults aged 16 to 75. Fieldwork was conducted between 1 and 3 March 2022. At this time, no COVID-19 border health measures were in place. The summary findings are presented below.
- Around in 2 in 3 (68%) of UK adults surveyed said they did not travel abroad for leisure in 2021.
- About 1 in 7 (14%) of UK adults surveyed said they plan to travel outside of the UK for leisure in the next 3 months. About a quarter (27%) of UK adults surveyed stated they do not plan to travel abroad for leisure within the next 12 months (n=2,256).
- 2 in 5 (40%) of UK adults surveyed (n=2,256) stated that they were not planning to travel abroad for leisure at all during the period March 2022 to June 2022.
- The most common reason for not planning to travel abroad for leisure during this period was that people do not normally take a holiday abroad in this period (26% of respondents).
- Respondents were asked how likely they were to travel abroad for a holiday to red list and non-red list destinations between March 2022 to June 2022. Two in 5 (40%) of UK adults surveyed said they would be likely to travel to a country not on the red list for a holiday during this period.
- About 1 in 3 (36%) of UK adults surveyed (n=2,256) stated they would consider travelling to a non-red list destination if there were no requirements for fully vaccinated travellers.
- About 1 in 3 (32%) of UK adults surveyed (n=2,256) stated they would consider travelling to a non-red list destination if there were no requirements for unvaccinated travellers.
- More than 4 in 10 of UK adults surveyed (43%) disagreed that vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers should have the same travel requirements to enter the UK, compared with 3 in 10 (30%) who agree with the statement and 1 in 5 (21%) who neither agree nor disagree.
- Just over 2 in 5 (44%) of UK adults surveyed agreed that they were worried about their financial situation. Over half (52%) of UK adults surveyed agreed that given concerns about the cost of living, they will spend less on holidays this year.
- When asked about the importance of the overall cost of the holiday, nearly 7 in 10 (68%) of UK adults surveyed said this factor was important, compared with just over 1 in 10 (13%) who said the overall cost of the holiday was unimportant.
Full research findings
Previous travel abroad activity
Respondents were asked whether they had travelled abroad for leisure in 2021 and, if so, which modes they used for this travel.
Whether people travelled abroad for a holiday or to visit friends or family in 2021, and which modes they used
| Response | Percentage of responses (%, all respondents) | Percentage of responses (%, those who travelled abroad for leisure in 2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Travelled by plane short haul, e.g. Europe or North Africa, including Canary Islands, Egypt, Morocco | 12 | 21 |
| Travelled by plane long haul, e.g. Asia, South Africa, the Americas, Australia, Middle East | 6 | 11 |
| Travelled by ferry (foot or vehicle) | 9 | 16 |
| Travelled by cruise | 3 | 6 |
| Did not do this in 2021 | 68 | 46 |
Base: All respondents – 2,256; Travelled abroad for leisure in 2019 – 1,212. Respondents were able to select multiple answers, so answers do not sum to 100%. Fieldwork: 1 to 3 March 2022.
Around in 2 in 3 (68%) of UK adults surveyed said they did not travel abroad for leisure in 2021. Not travelling abroad in 2021 for leisure was less common among those who travelled abroad for leisure in 2019, where fewer (46%) said they had not travelled abroad in 2021.
The most common mode of transport chosen for travelling abroad followed by short-haul plane, which around 1 in 10 (12%) of UK adults surveyed said they used for travelling abroad for leisure in 2021.
Of those who travelled abroad for leisure in 2021, which months they travelled in
Of the UK adults surveyed who said they travelled abroad for leisure in 2021 (n=300), around 1 in 2 (53%) said they travelled during the months July to September, slightly fewer said they travelled during April to June (49%), around 1 in 3 (32%) said they travelled during January to March, and only 1 in 10 (10%) said they travelled from October to January. Respondents could select multiple months for this question.
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 in 2019) | Percentage of responses (%, those who travelled abroad by ferry for leisure in 2019) |
|---|---|---|---|
| I am planning to do this in the next 3 months | 14 | 23 | 19 |
| I am planning to do this in the next 3-6 months | 17 | 26 | 30 |
| I am planning to do this in the next 6-12 months | 18 | 26 | 26 |
| I am planning to do this at some time after the next 12 months | 13 | 16 | 25 |
| I will not travel for leisure outside of the UK within the next year | 27 | 15 | 17 |
| None of these | 12 | 4 | 5 |
| Don’t know | 8 | 7 | 3 |
Base: All respondents – 2,256; Travelled abroad for leisure in 2019 – 1,212; Travelled abroad for leisure by ferry in 2019 – 356. Respondents were able to select multiple answers, so answers do not sum to 100%. Fieldwork: 1 to 3 March 2022.
Around 1 in 7 (14%) of UK adults surveyed said they plan to travel outside of the UK for leisure in the next 3 months. Intent to travel abroad was higher among those who travelled abroad for leisure in 2019, where about 1 in 4 (23%) said they plan to travel abroad for leisure in the next 3 months.
About a quarter (27%) of UK adults surveyed stated they do not plan to travel abroad for leisure within the next 12 months. Fewer (15%) of those who travelled abroad for leisure in 2019 stated they do not plan to travel abroad for leisure within the next 12 months.
Which months are you planning to travel abroad for leisure in?
| Response | Percentage of responses (%, all planning to travel abroad for leisure within 12 months) |
|---|---|
| March 2022 | 13 |
| April to June 2022 | 40 |
| July to September 2022 | 45 |
| October to December 2022 | 22 |
| January to March 2023 | 6 |
| Don’t know/not sure yet | 8 |
Base: All those planning to travel abroad for leisure within 12 months – 1,074; Respondents were able to select multiple answers, so answers do not sum to 100%. Fieldwork: 1 to 3 March 2022.
Of those planning to travel abroad for leisure within 12 months of the fieldwork (March 2022), the most common months that respondents planned to travel in were July to September (45%). These were also the most common months for those who had travelled abroad for leisure in 2019 (46%).
Travel intent during the period March 2022 to April 2022
When it comes to travelling for leisure outside of the UK between now and the end of April 2022, which statements apply to you?
| Response | Percentage of responses (%, all respondents) | Percentage of responses (%, those who travelled abroad for leisure in 2019) |
|---|---|---|
| I’ve made a booking for travel or accommodation abroad | 28 | 44 |
| I’ve researched travel or accommodation intend to make a booking | 13 | 21 |
| I’ve not booked or researched travel abroad, but I will do in the future | 18 | 22 |
| At the moment, I am not planning to travel abroad outside of the UK for leisure at all | 40 | 20 |
| Don’t know | 12 | 10 |
Base: All respondents – 2,256; Travelled abroad for leisure in 2019 – 1,212. Participants could select more than one answer, so percentages do not sum to 100%. Fieldwork: 1 to 3 March 2022.
When asked about their plans for leisure travel abroad during the period March 2022 to April 2022, 2 in 5 (40%) of UK adults surveyed stated that they were not planning to travel abroad for leisure at all during this period. A smaller proportion had made bookings for travel or accommodation (28%), and another (13%) reported that they had researched travel or accommodation and intended to book.
Compared with all UK adults, only 1 in 5 (20%) of those who had travelled abroad for leisure in 2019 reported that they were not planning to travel abroad for leisure during March 2022 to April 2022.
What are the reasons why people are not planning to travel abroad for leisure this spring (March 2022 to April 2022)?
| Response | Percentage of responses (%, all respondents) | Percentage of responses (%, those who travelled abroad for leisure in 2019) |
|---|---|---|
| I never normally take a holiday abroad during spring | 26 | 18 |
| It is too soon to decide | 23 | 25 |
| I am planning to travel for leisure in the UK instead of going abroad | 16 | 17 |
| I normally travel abroad for leisure in the spring but will not this upcoming spring because of COVID-19 | 9 | 18 |
| I plan to make a last minute trip | 2 | 2 |
| Other | 14 | 15 |
| Don’t know | 9 | 5 |
Base: Those not planning to travel abroad for leisure between March 2022 and April 2022 – 848; Travelled abroad for leisure in 2019 – 236. Responses may not sum to 100% due to rounding. Fieldwork: 1 to 3 March 2022.
The most common reason for not planning to travel abroad for leisure during the period March 2022 to April 2022 was that people do not normally take a holiday abroad in this period (26% of respondents). About 1 in 5 (23%) of those not planning to travel abroad for leisure during the period March 2022 to April 2022 stated that it was too soon to decide. About 1 in 6 (16%) stated they were planning to travel in the UK for leisure instead of going abroad.
Among those who travelled abroad in 2019 for leisure, the most commonly cited reason for not planning to travel abroad for leisure during the period March 2022 to April 2022 was that it was too soon to decide (25% of respondents). Just under 1 in 5 (18%) of those not planning to travel abroad for leisure during the period March 2022 to April 2022 stated that they never normally travel during this time. The same proportion (18%) stated that COVID-19 was the main reason not to travel in this period even though they normally do it.
Travel likelihood up to June 2022 based on the tier system
Respondents were asked about their likelihood to travel abroad to red list and non-red list (Rest of World) countries. Anticipated, approximate, costs were given for COVID-19 testing. Respondents were given the travel requirements for entering the UK from a country on the red and Rest of World category destination.
How likely or unlikely do you think you would you be to travel to a country not on the red list between March 2022 and June 2022 for a holiday?
Respondents were told the requirements for entering the UK from a destination not on the red list, which varied by vaccination status.
Those who were fully vaccinated or under 18 were told they would need to provide proof of vaccination status. These travellers were told they would not need to take a COVID-19 test before or after arriving into the UK, or self-isolate once arrived.
Those who were not fully vaccinated were told that they would need to: complete a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) before arriving in the UK; pay for and have proof of a negative COVID-19 test before arriving in the UK; and pay for a COVID-19 test to take by day 2 of arrival in the UK. Respondents were told that “the traveller can expect to pay around £90 per adult. Children aged 17 and under will not need to pay for any COVID-19 tests to enter the UK.”
| Response | Percentage of responses (%, all respondents) | Percentage of responses (%, those who travelled abroad for leisure in 2019) | Percentage of responses (%, those who travelled abroad by ferry for leisure in 2019) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very/fairly likely | 40 | 56 | 59 |
| Very/fairly unlikely | 44 | 41 | 37 |
| Not applicable, I never make these types of journeys abroad | 16 | 3 | 4 |
Base: All respondents – 2,256; Travelled abroad for leisure in 2019 – 1,212; Travelled abroad for leisure by ferry in 2019 – 356. Respondents were able to select multiple answers, so answers do not sum to 100%. Fieldwork: 1 to 3 March 2022.
Exactly 2 in 5 (40%) of UK adults surveyed said they would be likely to travel to a country not on the red list for a holiday between March 2022 and June 2022. This is lower than the approximately 4 in 7 (56%) of those who had travelled abroad for leisure in 2019 who said they were likely to.
Over 2 in 5 (44%) of UK adults surveyed said they would be unlikely to travel to a country not on the red list for a holiday between March 2022 and June 2022. This is similar to the 41% of those who had travelled abroad for leisure in 2019 who said they were unlikely to travel to a country not on the red list.
You said you are unlikely to travel for leisure or to visit friends or relatives, to a country not on the red list between March 2022 and June 2022. Which, if any, of these are your reasons for this?
| Response | Percentage of responses (%, all respondents) | Percentage of responses (%, those who travelled abroad for leisure in 2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Concern about myself / family members / people I travel with getting ill overseas | 19 | 19 |
| Concern that the trip would be less enjoyable, e.g. social distancing and hygiene (e.g. mask, hand sanitiser) or that sights and venues won’t be open | 19 | 19 |
| I’m prioritising UK leisure trips | 19 | 18 |
| Concerned that my destination of choice would impose travel restrictions on arrivals (e.g. testing, self-isolation, or vaccine requirements) | 18 | 21 |
| Worried about testing positive before returning to the UK and not being able to return home | 16 | 17 |
| Concern about COVID-19 tests being too expensive | 15 | 16 |
| Worried my destination would move onto the red list without enough notice | 15 | 15 |
| Concern that I may bring a new COVID-19 variant back to the UK | 14 | 15 |
| Concerned about travel insurance or cancellations by travel providers | 13 | 14 |
| Increased processing times at the border (either in the UK or abroad) | 11 | 13 |
| Worried people would judge me for travelling while COVID-19 is still a concern | 6 | 9 |
| Other | 9 | 9 |
| None of the above, I would never normally travel abroad during this time for leisure or to visit friends or relatives | 28 | 20 |
Base: All respondents who are unlikely to travel to a country not on the red list for leisure between March 2022 and June 2022 – 1231; Travelled abroad for leisure in 2019 and are unlikely to travel to a country not on the red list for leisure between March 2022 and June 2022 – 653. Respondents were able to select multiple answers, so answers do not sum to 100%. Fieldwork: 1 to 3 March 2022.
The most common reason for not planning to travel for leisure to a country not on the red list during the period March 2022 and June 2022 was that the respondents do not normally travel abroad during this time for leisure or to visit friends or relatives (28%). About 1 in 5 (19%) quoted concerns about themselves/their family members/people they travel with getting ill overseas as one of the reasons and 1 in 5 (19% of respondents) indicated concern that the trip would be less enjoyable, e.g. social distancing and hygiene (e.g. mask, hand sanitiser) or that sights and venues won’t be open. The other common reasons included people prioritising UK leisure trips (19%), and a concern that the destination of choice would impose travel restrictions on arrivals (18%).
Among those who travelled abroad in 2019 for leisure, the most commonly cited reason for not planning to travel for leisure to a country not on the red list during the period March 2022 and June 2022 was a concern that the destination of choice would impose travel restrictions on arrivals (21%). Other common reasons included respondents not normally travelling during this time (20%), concerns about themselves/their family members /people they travel with getting ill overseas as one of the reasons (19%) and that the trip would be less enjoyable, e.g., social distancing and hygiene (e.g. mask, hand sanitiser) or that sights and venues won’t be open (19%).
Participants were asked if they agreed or disagreed that they would consider travelling under different options of requirements to returning the UK from a country not on the red list country
I would consider travelling to a country not on the red list if there were fewer requirements for unvaccinated travellers to enter back into the UK than there are currently
| Response | Percentage of responses (%, all respondents) | Percentage of responses (%, Have not been vaccinated) | Percentage of responses (%, Fully vaccinated) | Percentage of responses (%, Travelled abroad for leisure in 2019) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net: Agree | 31 | 40 | 29 | 42 |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 27 | 29 | 27 | 30 |
| Net: Disagree | 30 | 16 | 34 | 22 |
| Don’t know | 11 | 15 | 11 | 7 |
Base: All respondents – 2,256; Have not had a vaccine against COVID-19, nor have an appointment scheduled for a COVID-19 vaccine – 372; Have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (2 doses of double dose vaccines, a single dose of a single dose only vaccine) – 1,712; Travelled abroad for leisure or to visit friends or family in 2019 – 1,212. Responses may not sum to 100% due to rounding. Fieldwork: 1 to 3 March 2022.
When asked if they would consider travelling to a country not on the red list if there were fewer requirements for unvaccinated travellers, around 1 in 3 (31%) of UK adults surveyed agreed, which is almost the same proportion (30%) who disagreed with this statement. Agreement was higher among those who were not vaccinated (40% agree) compared to those who were fully vaccinated (29%). Just over 1 in 3 (34%) of those who were fully vaccinated disagreed that they would consider travelling to a country not on the red list if there were fewer requirements for unvaccinated travellers.
I would consider travelling to a country not on the red list if there were no requirements for unvaccinated travellers to enter back into the UK than there are currently
| Response | Percentage of responses (%, all respondents) | Percentage of responses (%, Have not been vaccinated) | Percentage of responses (%, Fully vaccinated) | Percentage of responses (%, Travelled abroad for leisure in 2019) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net: Agree | 32 | 41 | 29 | 43 |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 26 | 29 | 26 | 27 |
| Net: Disagree | 31 | 16 | 34 | 23 |
| Don’t know | 11 | 14 | 10 | 7 |
Base: All respondents – 2,256; Have not had a vaccine against COVID-19, nor have an appointment scheduled for a COVID-19 vaccine - 372; Have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (2 doses of double dose vaccines, a single dose of a single dose only vaccine) – 1,712; Travelled abroad for leisure or to visit friends or family in 2019 – 1,212. Responses may not sum to 100% due to rounding. Fieldwork: 1 to 3 March 2022.
When asked if they would consider travelling to a country not on the red list if there were no requirements for unvaccinated travellers, about 1 in 3 (32%) of UK adults surveyed agreed, which is almost the same proportion (31%) who disagreed with this statement. Agreement was higher among those who were not vaccinated (41% agree) compared to those who were fully vaccinated (29%). Just over 1 in 3 (34%) of those who were fully vaccinated disagreed that they would consider travelling to a country not on the red list if there were no requirements for unvaccinated travellers.
I would consider travelling to a country not on the red list if fully vaccinated travellers did not have to fill out a passenger locator form to enter into the UK
| Response | Percentage of responses (%, all respondents) | Percentage of responses (%, Have not been vaccinated) | Percentage of responses (%, Fully vaccinated) | Percentage of responses (%, Travelled abroad for leisure in 2019) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net: Agree | 36 | 34 | 35 | 51 |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 26 | 32 | 25 | 26 |
| Net: Disagree | 27 | 18 | 30 | 17 |
| Don’t know | 11 | 16 | 10 | 6 |
Base: All respondents – 2,256; Have not had a vaccine against COVID-19, nor have an appointment scheduled for a COVID-19 vaccine – 372; Have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (2 doses of double dose vaccines, a single dose of a single dose only vaccine) – 1,712; Travelled abroad for leisure or to visit friends or family in 2019 – 1,212. Responses may not sum to 100% due to rounding. Fieldwork: 1 to 3 March 2022.
When asked if they would consider travelling to a country not on the red list if fully vaccinated travellers did not have to fill out a passenger locator form to enter into the UK, just over 1 in 3 (36%) of UK adults surveyed agreed, which is higher than the 3 in 10 (27%) who disagreed with this statement. Agreement was similar among those who were vaccinated (35% agree) compared to those who were not vaccinated (34%), however, 1 in 3 (30%) of those who were fully vaccinated disagreed with this statement.
Attitudes to travel abroad
Respondents were asked about how strongly they agreed or disagreed with different statements relating to travel abroad, including, any financial concerns.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with these statements about travelling abroad?
All respondents
| Response | Agree ( all respondents) | Neither agree nor disagree ( all respondents) | Disagree (all respondents) | Don’t know/ not applicable (all respondents) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I’ll only book travel abroad if I have refund and/or cancellation flexibility | 54 | 20 | 9 | 17 |
| Given concerns about the cost of living, I will spend less on holidays this year | 52 | 24 | 13 | 11 |
| I am worried about my personal financial situation | 44 | 25 | 26 | 5 |
| Travel restrictions for a country abroad should only be eased when the country is completely free of Coronavirus | 42 | 26 | 24 | 8 |
| I’ll only book travel abroad if I can change my ticket at short notice | 42 | 25 | 14 | 19 |
| Because of Coronavirus, I am concerned about getting travel insurance cover | 37 | 26 | 23 | 15 |
| I think vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers should have the same travel requirements to enter the UK | 30 | 21 | 43 | 7 |
Base: All respondents – 2,256. Responses may not sum to 100% due to rounding. Fieldwork: 1 to 3 March 2022.
Over half (52%) of UK adults surveyed agreed that given concerns about the cost of living, they will spend less on holidays this year, as compared to the 1 in 10 (13%) who disagreed with this. Similarly, more than half of UK adults surveyed (54%) agreed that they will only book travel abroad if they have a refund and/or cancellation flexibility.
Over 2 in 5 (44%) of UK adults surveyed agreed that they were worried about their financial situation. This is higher than the 1 in 4 (26%) of UK adults surveyed who disagreed with the statement.
More than 4 in 10 of UK adults surveyed (43%) disagreed with the statement that vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers should have the same travel requirements to enter the UK, compared with 3 in 10 (30%) who agree with the statement and 1 in 5 (21%) who neither agree nor disagree.
Those who had responded that they travelled abroad for leisure in 2019
| Response | Agree (%, all respondents) | Neither agree nor disagree (%, all respondents) | Disagree (%, all respondents) | Don’t know/ not applicable (%, all respondents) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I’ll only book travel abroad if I have refund and/or cancellation flexibility | 62 | 21 | 12 | 5 |
| Given concerns about the cost of living, I will spend less on holidays this year | 52 | 25 | 19 | 5 |
| I’ll only book travel abroad if I can change my ticket at short notice | 50 | 27 | 17 | 5 |
| I am worried about my personal financial situation | 43 | 26 | 28 | 3 |
| Because of Coronavirus, I am concerned about getting travel insurance cover | 43 | 27 | 26 | 5 |
| Travel restrictions for a country abroad should only be eased when the country is completely free of Coronavirus | 42 | 26 | 29 | 3 |
| I think vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers should have the same travel requirements to enter the UK | 33 | 21 | 43 | 3 |
Base: Travelled abroad for leisure or to visit friends or family in 2019 – 1,212. Responses may not sum to 100% due to rounding. Fieldwork: 1 to 3 March 2022.
Over half (62%) of those who travelled abroad for leisure in 2019 surveyed agreed that they will only book travel abroad if they have refund/cancellation flexibility. This is higher than the 54% of all UK adults surveyed who agreed with this statement.
Just over half (52%) of those who travelled abroad for leisure in 2019 surveyed agreed that given concerns about the cost of living, they will spend less on holidays this year, as compared to the 1 in 10 (12%) who disagreed with this. This is in line with the proportion of all UK adults surveyed who agreed with this statement.
Over 2 in 5 (43%) of those who travelled abroad for leisure in 2019 surveyed agreed that they were worried about their financial situation. This is higher than the 1 in 4 (26%) who disagreed with the statement.
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 | 68 | 13 | 4 | 15 |
| The place I depart from (for example, airport, port, train station) being convenient for me to get to | 68 | 14 | 5 | 14 |
| Not needing to self-isolate on arrival at the destination | 64 | 15 | 6 | 14 |
| How long it takes me to travel to the destination from the UK | 59 | 23 | 4 | 14 |
| Not needing to take a Coronavirus test to travel to the destination | 49 | 29 | 6 | 15 |
| Limiting the number of people I mix with whilst travelling | 49 | 32 | 5 | 14 |
| Being able to travel by public transport to the point of departure (for example, airport, ferry port) | 46 | 34 | 6 | 14 |
| My mode of travel being more of an environmentally friendly option | 42 | 38 | 7 | 14 |
| Not needing to show proof of vaccination to enter leisure facilities | 41 | 38 | 7 | 15 |
Base: All respondents – 2,256. Responses may not sum to 100% due to rounding. Fieldwork: 1 to 3 March 2022.
When asked about the importance of the overall cost of the holiday, nearly 7 in 10 (68%) of UK adults surveyed said this factor was important, compared with just over 1 in 10 (13%) who said the overall cost of the holiday was unimportant.
Almost 7 in 10 (68%) of UK adults surveyed said that the place they depart from e.g. airport being convenient for them to get to, was an important factor, compared to 14% who said this was not important.
Around 2 in 3 (64%) of UK adults surveyed said that not needing to self-isolate on arrival at the destination was an important factor when thinking about travelling abroad for a holiday, compared to 1 in 6 (15%) who said this factor was unimportant.
Just over 4 in 10 (42%) of UK adults surveyed said that travelling by an environmentally friendly mode was important to them when planning a holiday abroad. This is slightly higher than the 38% of UK adults who said it was not important to them. Just under 4 in 10 (38%) of UK adults surveyed said that the mode of travel being more of an environmentally friendly option was not important when thinking about travelling abroad for a holiday.
To what extent, if at all, do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the new travel requirements for vaccinated travellers?
Respondents were asked about changes to travel requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated arrivals. Respondents were asked about their support for these changes as well as how these changes made them feel.
Statement 1: From the 11th February, travellers arriving to the UK who are fully vaccinated no longer need to take a Pre-Departure Coronavirus test before arriving in the UK. They do NOT need to take a coronavirus test by Day 2 of their arrival.
Response to statement 1
| Response | I support this change in no longer requiring fully vaccinated arrivals to take a Pre-Departure test before arriving in the UK. (%, all respondents) | I support this change no longer requiring fully vaccinated travellers to have a Coronavirus test within 48 hours of their arrival to the UK. (%, all respondents) | These changes to the requirements for fully vaccinated travellers entering the UK make me more likely to travel abroad. (%, all respondents) | These changes to the requirements for fully vaccinated travellers entering the UK make me feel safe. (%, all respondents) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agree | 40 | 40 | 37 | 34 |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 21 | 21 | 24 | 28 |
| Disagree | 26 | 27 | 25 | 26 |
| Don’t know | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
| Not applicable, I do not travel abroad | 5 | 4 | 8 | 5 |
Base: All respondents – 2,256. Responses may not sum to 100% due to rounding. Fieldwork: 1 to 3 March 2022.
Of the UK adults surveyed, 4 in 10 (40%) supported the change of no longer requiring fully vaccinated arrivals to take a Pre-Departure test before arriving at the UK. Approximately 1 in 4 (26%) of UK adults surveyed disagreed with this. Similar proportions agreed and disagreed that they support the change of no longer requiring fully vaccinated travellers to have a COVID-19 test within 48 hours of their arrival to the UK.
1 in 4 (25%) of UK adults surveyed said they disagree with the statement that these changes to the requirements for fully vaccinated travellers entering the UK make them more likely to travel abroad. Just over 1 in 3 (34%) of UK adults surveyed said they agreed that these changes to the requirements made them feel safe.
Statement 2: From the 11th of February 2022 travellers who are unvaccinated no longer need to self-isolate on arrival, nor take a Coronavirus test by day 8 of arrival. They still need to take a Pre-Departure Test 2 days before arriving in the UK. They also need to take a pre-booked Coronavirus PCR test by Day 2.
Response to statement 2
| Response | I support this change in no longer requiring not unvaccinated travellers to isolate on arrival to the UK. (%, all respondents) | I support this change only requiring unvaccinated travellers to take a single PCR test within 2 days of arrival to the UK. (%, all respondents) | These changes to the requirements for unvaccinated travellers entering the UK make me more likely to travel abroad. (%, all respondents) | These changes to the requirements for unvaccinated travellers entering the UK make me feel safe. (%, all respondents) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agree | 29 | 33 | 27 | 26 |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 24 | 25 | 26 | 26 |
| Disagree | 34 | 29 | 32 | 36 |
| Don’t know | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
| Not applicable, I do not travel abroad | 4 | 4 | 8 | 4 |
Base: All respondents – 2,256. Responses may not sum to 100% due to rounding. Fieldwork: 1 to 3 March 2022.
Of the UK adults surveyed, 3 in 10 (29%) agreed that they support the change in no longer requiring unvaccinated travellers to isolate on arrival to the UK. Approximately 1 in 3 (34%) of UK adults surveyed disagreed with this. Similar proportions agreed and disagreed that they support the change only requiring unvaccinated travellers to take a single PCR test within 2 days of arrival to the UK.
1 in 3 (32%) of UK adults surveyed said they disagree with the statement that these changes to the requirements for unvaccinated travellers entering the UK make them more likely to travel abroad. Just over 1 in 4 (26%) of UK adults surveyed said they agreed that these changes to the requirements made them feel safe.