ABTA – The Travel Association, today released its Travel Trends Report 2013, developed in association with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, predicting that consumers will continue to look for good value in breaks in 2013 rather than cut back on their holidays. While the mid-market is expected to continue to feel the squeeze, tailor-made packages, luxury holidays and all-inclusive breaks, are expected to be popular.

Mark Tanzer ABTA Chief Executive said: “The early indications are that forward bookings for 2013 are looking positive despite a continued squeeze on household budgets. The majority of British holidaymakers are reluctant to give up their annual holiday even in tougher economic times. In particular, we are seeing strong forward bookings for the luxury and all-inclusive sectors, which have both done well in recent years. We are also seeing an increase in demand for tailor-made holidays as consumers look for greater flexibility but with all the security of a package.”

Some key trends ABTA has identified:

• Demand expected to be up for tailor-made packages. Holidaymakers are increasingly looking for tour operators to offer tailor-made itineraries so that they can enjoy greater flexibility and multi-centre holidays with all the protection of a package
   
• Consumers looking for value. With economic uncertainty expected to continue into 2013, consumers are likely to seek value for money from their holidays, rather than cutting back on going away
   
• Luxury and all-inclusive holidays expected to perform well. With the mid-market coming under the greatest pressure from reductions in household spending, strongest demand is expected to come from the all-inclusive and luxury markets in 2013
   
• The staycation is here to stay but Brits are also likely to seek guaranteed sunshine. Following the success of the Jubilee and Olympics in 2012, domestic tourism looks in strong shape but after two wet summers in the UK, overseas destinations offering guaranteed sunshine stand to benefit
   
• Younger travellers taking more holidays. ABTA research shows that younger travellers are taking more frequent holidays. Those aged 15-24 took on average almost five breaks in the UK or overseas in the past 12 months compared to an average of four holidays during the same period a year ago
   
• Tried and tested destinations likely to be popular. In times of economic uncertainty many people put their faith in where they know best. Early booking figures for summer 2013 suggest that destinations such as France, Greece, Italy, Spain and the USA will continue to prove popular next year.

In the report ABTA has also identified its “destinations to watch” 2013. A mixture of long, mid and short haul destinations, they give a taste of both holiday favourites and emerging destinations, including: Ecuador, Ethiopia, New Zealand, and Tunisia.

Country-specific travel advice has been provided by the FCO to ensure Brits travelling abroad next year remain safe.

Lynda St Cooke from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said:  “With increased pressure on the purse strings it’s easy to find yourself cutting corners in a bid to save time and money. However, each year, FCO staff based overseas meet British holidaymakers involved in incidents abroad who wish they had taken a few extra minutes to read up on their destination, take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy and make the necessary health preparations before travelling.

“Consular staff will do all they can to help but we can’t pay medical bills, lend money or interfere in another country’s legal system. The majority of people who travel abroad have a trouble-free trip but things can and do go wrong and taking time to prepare before you go can help ensure you have the holiday of a lifetime.”

Travel Trends Report 2013