Following the news (8 July 2021) that fully vaccinated UK travelers do not have to quarantine on return from countries on the amber list from 19 July 2021, Rheanna Norris, Associate Analyst at GlobalData offers her view on the recent change:
“Booking surges to popular European amber list destinations are expected following the recent news. However, the last-minute changes to rules may have permanently discouraged international holidays for UK travelers this year.
“According to a GlobalData poll*, the top deterrent to traveling remains quarantine requirements, followed by travel restrictions. As these are lifted for fully vaccinated travelers, one may expect popular European destinations to benefit and salvage some of the peak summer period.
“However, many UK travelers with families will have already made UK domestic plans for a summer holiday. The cost, hassle, and fluctuating rules may have caused UK travelers to postpone international holidays in the near future. This is shown in a GlobalData poll**, in which 43% of respondents said they are considering domestic trips in the next 12 months, while 29% said they were not willing to travel at all. The added uncertainty of the possibility that ‘amber list’ countries could be placed on the ‘red list’, which require a stay in a quarantine hotel, could also deter travelers from booking an international escape.
“This means that the benefit for UK traveler-dependent destinations remains uncertain. Pent-up demand from travelers who are willing to book last-minute sun escapes will only slightly make up for the losses European destinations have seen in recent months.”
*GlobalData poll of 1,364 respondents, live from 17th November 2020 to 18th May 2021.
**GlobalData poll of 1,431 respondents, live since 17th November 2020.