Sabre’s latest survey brings a nuanced approached to understanding passenger behaviours. Collecting insights from industry professionals, the research seeks to identify what really matters to people when making travel plans in 2024.
The survey “combin[es] the insights of hundreds of Sabre team members globally alongside data analytics, [for] a deep dive into how individuals plan to travel.” By incorporating the behaviours of travel professionals, it weaves together real-world context, a deep understanding of the prevailing challenges faced by the industry, and an acute appreciation for the emerging trends at play.
Here are the seven key findings shared in the survey:
- Increased confidence among travellers surveyed, with more people booking at least three months in advance for leisure trips.
- More than three-quarters of travellers surveyed are planning at least two vacations and more than a fifth say they are taking four or five leisure trips.
- Nearly 90 per cent of travellers surveyed are spending about the same or more on travel than they did in 2023, with Gen Z increasing their budget the most.
- 2024 appears to be the year that revenge travel will come into its own for travellers surveyed in Asia Pacific.
- Long-haul is expected to be in the cards for more travellers in 2024, with more than half surveyed either choosing long-haul or saying distance doesn’t matter to them.
- Gen Z surveyed travellers in particular are concerned about losing their luggage, and are purchasing insurance to guard against it.
- Surveyed travellers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa are looking for family-orientated destinations while those in North America are focused on couples’ trips.
Additional interesting findings include the differing priorities for leisure and business respondents regarding ancillaries. The below graph, Fig 2.0 in the survey, shows that business travellers value efficiency, placing lesser emphasis on check-in luggage and a preference for sitting towards the front of the plane for a speedy exit. Conversely, leisure travellers show a leniency towards comfort, opting to sit with family members, selecting aisle or window seats, and choosing in-flight meals.
Fig 2.0 Sabre survey
For a more in depth analysis, see the full results of the survey. As the industry works to meet evolving passenger expectations, it is increasingly necessary to map out a deep understanding of the changing travel landscape.
For more like this see:
- Adapting to evolving traveller behaviours with Mastercard
- Key takeaways from IATA’s 2023 Global Passenger Survey (GPS)
- IATA survey reports passengers want simplification and convenience
