CNN Global Travel Research – Safety and security matters most, UK voted safest in Europe
Saturday 27, April 2013
International travellers are more concerned about safety and security than price or diversity of experience. UK voted the ‘safest’ and ‘most established and welcoming’ tourist destination in Europe by global respondents.
A global study of CNN consumers’ travel perceptions and behavioural trends has revealed that safety and security is of greater concern when choosing an international travel destination, than any other deciding factor – for more than two thirds of global respondents.
The survey asked global respondents from over 70 countries, recruited via CNN websites, to identify the key influencing factors in their decision making process, when deciding upon both leisure and business travel destinations.
Petra Malenicka, Vice President, CNN International Ad Sales, Western Europe said, “Destination branding has become one of the most competitive aspects of today’s tourism industry and these insights are valuable for countries looking to market themselves as the destination of choice for travellers.”
“That safety and security is significantly more important for respondents than the cost of travel, even in austere times, is an indicator that, in times of regional unrest, the pendulum has swung. Tourist boards will clearly continue to have a vital role to play in shaping international perceptions of their country to encourage tourism growth,” she added.
‘Price’ ranks second in travel decision making, reflecting the continuing impact of the economic crisis on consumers. Yet despite this, the latest UNWTO growth predication figures confirm the resiliency of a buoyant global tourism sector.*
According to the results, respondents are not just price conscious, they are also discerning. ‘Reputation’ is the third most considered factor for respondents considering travel destinations.
The results demonstrate the appeal of the UK from a commercial perspective:
The UK leads Europe for safety and is seen as a developed, hospitable destination:
The UK is also well positioned when it comes to attracting international travellers in the immediate future.
“The results paint a positive picture for the UK in terms of global perception, and may indicate the country is well positioned to cash in on the warm glow left by a successful Olympic year”, added Malenicka.
Plan your trips with the help of great resources
More and more travellers think that researching and planning a European city break is half the fun and they're not interested in pre-arranged trips or escorted tours. Self-guided tours offer a lot of advantages but require some guidance and good resources.
Top 10 most environmentally pure countries
With the recent wild fires, disrupting flights and increasing air pollution, environmental quality is a growing factor in attracting tourists.
Top 15 most spectacular hotel rooftop views
The hotel price comparison site www.trivago.co.uk has put together a list of the fifteen most spectacular hotel rooftop terraces in the world.
Latest offers, discounts and more...