There is 'still appetite for cruises and holidays'

While the credit crunch may be dominating UK news broadcasts and causing Brits to budget, there is still an appetite for cruises and holidays among the public, one industry expert has said.

According to Travelsupermarket.com, an online comparison service for travel products, including flights, hotels and holidays, designed to save consumers' time and money, as people work longer hours to beat the economic downturn they are becoming more reluctant to give up the hope of their summer cruise or holiday.

The website's comments follow research conducted by TUI Travel about the current state of the holiday market, the results of which have recently been published.

The study found that 87 per cent of Brits intended to take an overseas cruise or holiday this summer - the same percentage as last year, with 94 per cent of those planning a package deal.

A spokesperson from TUI said: "Despite the challenging trading environment and an anticipated flatter bookings profile, we are achieving our load factor and margin targets due to our ongoing management of capacity, and we expect this to continue through the summer season."

Kayte Williams, holidays channel manager at Travelsupermarket.com, backed up the claims of the TUI.

She said: "The results that we have seen so far for January and February would indicate that lots of people are still prepared to go on holiday and try to travel. We have seen a slight decline, but obviously there is still an appetite for holidays."

According to research from Hotels.com, published in February 2009, Brits are becoming more financially savvy when booking cruises and holidays.

The website reported that Brits are saving £1.7 billion each year by haggling on holiday, with 76 per cent now admitting that they brokered a bargain on their last break and the average traveller saving themselves £32.20 per holiday.

Furthermore, 23 per cent have haggled over prices at home in the UK and 76 per cent regularly haggle over prices whilst on holiday.

Ms Williams said that Brits will be very resourceful when trying to fit a holiday into their budget and noted sacrificing their breaks is a last resort for many people.

She concluded: "As people work longer hours, especially in this country, they are most unwilling to give up their holiday."

"With all the incentives that are around at the moment there is no reason people won't go away on holiday, with all the money off savings, low booking deposits and the free child places. They are all a good indication that people will travel."