Surrey travel agent says more people book holidays around live sport
A growing number of British holidaymakers are swapping traditional sun-and-sand getaways for trips centred around live sport
A growing number of British holidaymakers are swapping traditional sun-and-sand getaways for trips centred around live sport, according to new research.
Nearly half of UK travellers (48%) now say they are likely to travel abroad specifically to attend a live sporting event. From rugby in France to tennis in Melbourne, sporting fixtures are becoming key reasons to go abroad.
While sport is increasingly taking centre stage, it’s not the only focus. The research, commissioned by Pure Michigan, found that many travellers still plan to combine match days with other experiences. Historical sites (32%), famous landmarks (31%) and culinary activities (31%) also feature prominently in travel plans.
In pursuit of better deals, some holidaymakers are booking early – even before knowing whether their team has qualified. Fourteen per cent admit they would confirm travel arrangements ahead of time to secure lower prices.
Faye Coles, the owner of Chobsham Travel in Surrey says, "I know next year it's the World Cup, isn't it? that's going to be across America, Canada and Mexico. So whether we'll start seeing an uptick of people trying to book flights, plan holidays for that type of thing. Who knows - with what's going on in the US at the moment - But yeah, I think generally flights come out eleven months in advance, but you're going to start seeing some people who will book early to go out.
She adds "The problem is, we don't know, like England when they're going to qualify, where they're going to be playing, so it's always a hard one, especially with football."