UK: The Cheval Collection has released the results of a survey it conducted on its guests to track traveller behaviour both before the introduction of vaccines, and now, two years later.
Guests of the group were asked to participate in a survey to measure travel confidence and intentions for the UK’s top two destination cities: London and Edinburgh.
The latest survey, conducted in April, received 2,200 responses. The respondents were mainly from the UK (80 per cent) while 8.4 per cent were from North America. The rest made up residents of 100 countries.
Key findings were as follows:
London
In the absence of any covid restrictions 93.6 per cent of respondents felt very or somewhat confident, in travelling to London. This compares with just 68 per cent in 2020.
When travelling to London 68 per cent of respondents were likely or very likely to book a serviced apartment. However hotels were also popular with 79 per cent of respondents saying they are likely or very likely to book a hotel room when visiting the capital.
Daniel Johansson director of development & acquisitions, Cheval Collection said: “During the pandemic we’ve all come to value the freedom of travel and the freedom to stay how we want – and a return to hospitality. Our survey illustrates that, for guests, this often means serviced apartments.”
Edinburgh
When asked how confident they felt about travelling to Edinburgh, 92.9 per cent of respondents felt very or somewhat confident, in the absence of any covid restrictions – similar to the 2020 result which indicated 90.5 per cent felt very or somewhat confident, in travelling to the Scottish capital.
When asked about their accommodation preferences this year, 68 per cent were likely or very likely to book a serviced apartment. However hotels were the most popular accommodation choice for travellers to Edinburgh with 81 per cent very likely to consider a hotel.
Trends
The survey from April this year found travellers are less confident about booking accommodation unless they can get refunds and flexible rates. A sizeable 42 per cent of respondents would be unlikely to book a non-refundable rate, 90 per cent said a flexible rate is important.
The survey found most travellers wanted to book directly with the accommodation provider with 66 per cent of respondents choosing to book directly. 26.8 per cent were happy to book via an online booking agent (OTA) while the remainder would opt for a combination of travel agency or OTAs, depending on the best price.
Johansson said: “When you have a good relationship with the guest and you are the favoured booking channel, it is that much easier to offer something which works for everyone.”
When asked about international trips for leisure within the next six months, a combined 78.5 per cent are planning one or more international trips for leisure in the near future.
Travelling abroad for work, however, was not as popular among respondents. When asked how many international business trips they expect to take in the next six months, 77.1 per cent of respondents said they do not intend to travel for business within that period. However, 22.3 per cent said that they are planning to travel internationally at least once within the next six months.
The study, analysing the responses of more than 2,200 travellers, found that 68% of respondents were likely or very likely to book a serviced apartment, when staying in either London or Edinburgh. This was only two percentage points lower than during 2020, when demand for serviced apartments was at a peak as guests looked for accommodation where they could have guaranteed space and privacy.
The Cheval Collection, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, specialises in high end serviced apartments across the globe. It recently announced a new property for Glasgow under the Cheval Maison brand and launched urban lifestyle brand MY Locanda in February this year.
