On 9 April, Original Travel issued a survey to its client database to determine travel plans and ambitions within the luxury sector post-Coronavirus. The results issued today reveal that travelling with their partner to a crowd-free destination 'to simply enjoy the freedom of travel again' will be the key factors in the first trips taken once lockdown lifts. 

In terms of how the pandemic will change general travel habits, 30% of respondents agree that they want to travel more sustainably, whether that is by sticking to short haul travel or travelling less often but for longer periods. 

As for that all-important first trip away post-lockdown, 48% of respondents plan to visit somewhere outdoorsy to enjoy some wide-open spaces. 27% will opt for somewhere zen and low-key, having gotten used to a slower pace of life, 15% selected somewhere busy and buzzy to be around people again and 10% to somewhere adrenalin-focused. 

Most people (59%) plan to travel with just their partner and indeed, 80% of Original Travel's current enquiries are for honeymoons from couples who have had to cancel their weddings this year and want to make up for it with an extended trip next year. Add to this the widely-predicted trend that we will see a baby boom in nine months time with lots of couples hoping for a last-minute babymoon, and it's safe to say that there will be a big uptick in romantic getaways next year. 18% plan to travel with their partner and children, 11% would choose to travel by themselves for some quality time alone and 5% with their wider family on a multi-generational trip. 

The purpose of that first trip away was overwhelmingly (85%) to simply enjoy being able to travel again, with 12% travelling for a special occasion to make up for a missed celebration, such as a birthday or anniversary. 

Original Travel's Co-founder, Tom Barber, says: 'The survey has been such a useful exercise to get a steer on what our clients' key travel priorities will be, once the restrictions have lifted. It's also very gratifying to learn that Original Travel is extremely well-positioned to facilitate those priorities: We are the go-to operator for extended breaks, having launched a dedicated guide on sabbaticals just last year; we also launched rail-only itineraries last year, specifically to cater to those wanting to travel cleanly and greenly. Plus, we have long championed off-the-beaten-track destinations to encourage undertourism, which means more space and fewer people, which is essentially what those wanting to get out into wide open spaces are looking for. We can't wait to start fulfilling those travel plans #OneDaySoon.' 

-Ends- 

For more information contact Rebecca Lowe:  

press@originaltravel.co.uk 

020 3582 4990 

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Notes to Editors: 

The survey was completed by 180 respondents. 

Original Travel curates customised itineraries crafted by destination experts to 77 countries worldwide from Anguilla to Zimbabwe. Since its launch in 2003, it has created 50,000 itineraries, each unique and adhering to the company ethos that “Life is in the Detail”. 

Original Travel also has its own specialist dive division. Original Diving is the world's only luxury dive travel outfit and is staffed by a team that includes 1 dive instructor, 5 dive masters and a marine biologist. Having completed more than 3,000 dives in over 50 countries, equating to over 100 years' collective diving experience, the team pride themselves on their unparalleled expertise and knowledge of the best dive destinations across the globe. 

Original Travel clients enjoy a wealth of additional services they wouldn't find with any other UK tour operator, including: 

Access to a network of 70-plus Concierges who live locally, know their destinations inside and out and are extremely well-connected. They lend fantastic ground support, offering insider recommendations, facilitating any last-minute changes and troubleshooting 

A brace of additional services designed to make departure easier than ever. Every Original Travel client, regardless of whether they're off on a long-weekend to Seville, or a multi-destination sabbatical, will enjoy UK airport meet and greet, fast track UK check-in, fast track UK security*, lounge access and pre-booked flight seats. A great way to start the holiday sooner 

The knowledge that not only will Original Travel offset the carbon footprint of their international flights, but also - in an industry-first - car-hire and other flights (even if booked independently) 

The knowledge that they are contributing to Our Foundation, which supports nearly 100 humanitarian projects in 30 developing countries. To date, nearly £800,000 has been invested to support five key areas: child protection, vocational training, economic development assistance, preservation of cultural and natural heritage and safeguarding the lifestyles of indigenous peoples