Swine flu does little to put Brits off their holidays

August 27, 2009
by Mark Johnson

Ever since the outbreak of Swine flu this year the travel sector has been monitoring closely the effect it has had on holidaymakers travel plans.

Travelzoo, an Internet media company, conducted a survey last week polling 10,582 travellers in 24 regions across France, Germany, Spain and the UK. The survey showed quite differing attitudes between the countries towards swine flu. It found that only 7% of Brits would change their travel plans because of it, compared to 14% of French, 15% of Germans and 21% of Spaniards.

In the UK, only 5% of those living in the North West would let it impact their travel plans making them the least concerned, where as those in Northern Ireland were most concerned with 12.5%.

Travelzoo UK spokesman, Stephen Dunk said, “A number of surveys have revealed that Britons will not give up their holiday or travel plans, despite the risk of swine flu, but this is the first to show just how important that aspect of our life is, compared to other Europeans”.

For digital marketers running travel campaigns across multiple countries, results from polls like this just illustrate that countries can have quite differing views and trends and these need to be taken into consideration when planning strategies for each as often a “one glove fits all” approach just doesn’t suffice.