EyeForTravel reports that an online survey initiated by UK's Thomson and First Choice has indicated that an "overwhelming 80% of respondents" expect to take a holiday in 2010; similar numbers said the recession will not lead them to change their holiday plans.
About half the people surveyed plan to spend the same amount of money as they did this year; 24% plan to spend more. Of those people who said the recession had changed their holiday plans this year, about 6% said they had considered package holidays this year so as to offer extra security in case an airline collapsed. But that figure more than doubles to 13% for 2010.
46% said they would use the recession to book five-star hotels at three- or four-star prices. Travelers may be traveling farther next year as well – more than 23% said they look to buy a longer flight for the same price as one nearer to home. The proportion of people saying they would consider booking all-inclusive holidays jumps from 10% to 16% for next year.
One downside for UK travelers in 2010 is the Air Passenger Duty tax increases planned by the British government which will come in two stages - from November 2009. These will increase the tax on long haul flights – typically 12 hours or more - from £40 to £80.