Demand for foreign travel back to pre-pandemic levels, data shows

Looking ahead, the figures also show that 65% of UK tourists are set to go on holiday abroad in the next year, with 37% of people having already booked a break despite the cost of living crisis. 

“On the whole, people are preferring to adapt their travel plans rather than scrap them entirely, primarily by going all-inclusive, booking early, or holidaying outside of busy periods,” the chief executive added. 

“Challenges do still lie ahead, and many smaller companies still have a debt hangover from the pandemic, but for now at least, leisure travel isn’t feeling the same impact of the cost of living squeeze as other parts of the economy.”

Tanzer’s words were echoed by travel expert Rob Staines, who said it was "fantastic" to see the holidays and outbound travel sector growing. 

"If there’s one thing the pandemic taught us, it’s to appreciate the true value of a holiday and clearly, during a cost of living crisis, this is one aspect of life that many are not willing to forego," he told TTG.

Dame Irene Hays made a similar point earlier this month when she said huge possibilities were lying ahead for agents as Britons kept splurging on holidays. 

“People will forgo hospitality, they’ll forgo clothing and they’ll downgrade their grocery shopping in order to be able to afford a holiday,” she told members of the Hays Independence Group (Hays IG) on 4 March.