Diving into the Data as Lockdown Eases

Excerpts from this article were recently featured in Teesside Live.

As the UK government starts to ease the lockdown restrictions, new analysis of destinations potentially destined as ‘safe’, suggests that the ‘green list’ could have just eight countries on.

In the two months since the Prime Minister’s announcement, travel sites have seen a surge in bookings, with visits up by more than 168.69% (between 23 February and 20 April) when compared to the previous year.

For holidaymakers looking to get away this year, whether it be at home or abroad, they may face more roadblocks than usual as demand continues to surge and many places are booking up quick.

Travel retail specialist, Salesfire has revealed that data gathered from its eCommerce analytics platform Trends shows travel booking sites have seen visits increase by 74% from 1 April 2021 to 18 April 2021, proving that Brits can’t wait for a change of scenery.

Whilst it might be more difficult to book as everyone is scrambling for a post-lockdown getaway, Rich Himsworth, CEO of Salesfire, shares his top tips to ensure your holiday dreams can come true in 2021:

1. Go off the beaten track

“Popular holiday destinations, both in the UK and abroad are the first to get snapped up” says Rich, “last summer we saw areas such as the Lake District, Brighton, and Cornwall hugely popular for Brits looking for a ‘staycation’. But if you’re savvy and look for somewhere that is slightly less of a tourist hotspot, either in the UK or somewhere on the ‘green list’ you’re much more likely to be able to book.”

2. Avoid weekends

“Booking outside of weekends can be a struggle for those wanting to make the most of precious annual leave, but often midweek breaks take longer to get booked up so you’re probably more likely to be able to get to your dream destination” Rich explained.

“It also goes without saying that Bank Holiday weekends are the first to get booked, so you might want to rethink an August Bank Holiday away from home this year,” he added.

3. Be realistic

“Without sounding negative, my advice to holidaymakers is to consider their destination choices with a pinch of realism this year. Many countries still have their borders closed for UK travellers, and we’ve all seen how quickly guidelines can change” Rich warned.

“If you have a bucket list destination, why not put that on hold for a year and try somewhere closer to home this summer? You can save your money and get to that destination when the world is hopefully less upside down!” he suggests.

4. Shop savvy

“All holidaymakers should be conscious of their cancellation options when booking for this summer. Make sure you have the right travel insurance in place when you book and be ready to quickly shift your plans if government guidelines change” he suggests. “This is also a prime time for scammers to operate, so remember the age-old saying: ‘if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is!’” Rich advised.

5. Prepare for the unexpected

“We have seen how quickly circumstances can change over the course of the last year and the travelling experience may be completely different to the last time many booked an escape,” Rich explained. “Some destinations require a negative Covid-19 test before flying and some countries are considering vaccination passports, there’s also the possibility that travel guidelines could be changed at the last minute.”

“As long as travellers are prepared for a slightly different holiday experience, we’re hopeful that many will be able to get a long-awaited trip booked in 2021,” Rich concluded.

Produced for Salesfire by Tank.