Consumer confidence in domestic coach travel is on the rise, according to Daish’s Holidays, following a surge in bookings for 2021.
The Group, which includes Robinsons Holidays, reported a 699% increase in its June 2021 bookings from 2019. There was a similar surge in bookings from May 17 and for Autumn and Winter bookings compared to 2019, with an increase of 495% and 418% respectively.
Those figures include bookings for coach travel and both self-drives, which the company says remain similar to pre-pandemic percentages. That equates to 80% of holidays pre-booked with Daish’s coaches, 5% on other coach operators and 15% self-driven.
Sales and Marketing Director at Daish’s Holidays Paul Harper says the numbers evidence a reassurance in domestic tourism and coach travel. “Last year when we announced we were restarting, the phones went crazy and we are seeing a similar thing now. Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on 22 February we were inundated with calls. That demand has not gone away and it certainly seems to reveal confidence about travelling on a coach and within the UK.”
Mr Harper reveals that the majority of Daish’s customers will have had their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and a significant amount will have had their second dose before they travel in May. “I think their perceived level of risk is a lot lower within the UK than for it is going abroad. For UK travel and on coaches I think the confidence is going to be similar to what it was before the pandemic.”
When Daish’s resumed in July 2020 it was operating at reduced capacity with maximum loadings of 37 on its coaches. Mr Harper suspects that reduced capacity will be necessary between May and the first half of June, with typical coach loads from July onwards. “From our point of view it’s still somewhat frustrating,” he says. “Where we’re confused is the guidance on social distancing, which seems contrary to guidance that other industries are facing. We will be consulting with the Confederation of Passenger Transport and other industry bodies for their interpretation and keep it under constant review.”
