More than one in four adults say they are less likely to go on holiday to the US following the bitter US Presidential election, a poll1 by independent research experts Consumer Intelligence shows.
Its study among 1,296 adults conducted in the immediate aftermath of the surprise win for Republican candidate Donald Trump found 27% say they are now less likely to visit the US now than they were before the Presidential election.
However 68% of adults surveyed said the election result has no impact on their holiday plans while 5% say they are now more likely to visit the US following the victory for President-elect Trump.
The election result has provided some relief for people about to visit the US – the pound which has slumped dramatically against the dollar since the UK’s vote to leave the European Union has briefly strengthened to around $1.24 compared with its $1.21 low in the aftermath of the Brexit vote.
The US2 is the fifth most popular destination for UK holidaymakers with around 3.5 million visiting the country last year – the top four destinations are Spain, France, Italy and Ireland. However spending by UK visitors at around £4.5 billion is the second highest behind Spain.
Americans are the biggest spenders of all visitors to the UK – they spend around £3 billion a year with 3.2 million visiting the UK in 2015 making them the second biggest source of foreign visitors behind the French.
Ian Hughes, Chief Executive of Consumer Intelligence said:
“The US will remain a popular destination for UK tourists and businesses but it is clear the election result has produced strong reactions here and in the States.”
Notes
Notes to Editors
1 Consumer Intelligence online poll among 1,296 adults on November 9th and 10th 2016
2 https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa