Confidence in travelling abroad falls

Research from Confused.com has identified a drop in consumer confidence when it comes to booking a foreign holiday.

The price comparison site said events such the ash cloud and the continued strike action from BA staff are causing travellers to reconsider their holiday plans. Females are at the top of the worried list with one in three having little faith in the holiday going as planned.

Twenty five per cent of travellers say they feel less confident about booking a holiday abroad now and almost half are now considering a holiday in the UK as a result.

For those who do have the courage to book abroad, 60% of them will not risk going without insurance. Evidently though the travel insurance industry needs to be clearer with customers on what is and what is not covered, as 34% worry about the level of cover available which cover the recent events. Worryingly 7% of travellers still think travel insurance is a waste of time despite the ongoing disruptions.

Steve Williams, head of travel insurance said: "It's a concern that some people still think travel insurance is a waste of time, despite recent events. Travel insurance covers eventualities including delays and cancelled holidays and insurers are still offering cover for holidays affected by the ash cloud. This cover comes as an ‘add on' to a standard policy. When considering the unpredictability of the situation and prolonged disruption, this and BA strikes are causing, travel insurance should not be overlooked."