Holidays to France - UK - February 2013

INTRODUCTION
Definition
Abbreviations
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The market
Contraction in the market is set to slow as economic recovery kicks in
Figure 1: Estimated holidays to France market, by volume, 2007-17
Market factors
A weakening Pound could drive holidaymakers outside of the Eurozone
Figure 2: Average weekly midpoint exchange rates for GBP against EUR, January 2010-January 2013
High fuel prices, APD rise and delay compensation rulings to increase cost of flying
Figure 3: Jet fuel prices, GBP per gallon, December 2007-December 2012
Unleaded petrol motorists face a 10% premium when filling up in France
Figure 4: Motoring on the continent cost barometer, 2010-12
Segment performance
Independent segment held three quarters of the market in 2011
Figure 5: Package vs. independent holidays to France, by volume, 2007-11
Air travel to France has fallen by 27% over a five-year period
Figure 6: Volume of visits to France by UK residents, by mode of transport, 2007-11
The consumer
Two thirds of adults have taken a holiday to France
Figure 7: Holidays to France taken in the past five years, November 2012
Popularity of fly-drive holidays vastly outweighed by using own car
Figure 8: Broad types of holiday taken to France, November 2012
Cultural and sightseeing the most popular type of holiday taken in France
Figure 9: Detailed types of holiday taken to France, November 2012
Paris remains the most popular destination in France
Figure 10: Regions stayed in on holiday to France, November 2012
Online dominates as the booking method of choice
Figure 11: Booking method used for holiday to France, November 2012
Cost is the primary reason for consumers not taking holidays to France
Figure 12: Reasons for not visiting France, November 2012
France’s culture and history are major attractions
Figure 13: Attitudes towards France, November 2012
One in ten adults are planning a trip to France in 2013
Figure 14: Planned trips in 2013, November 2012
What we think
ISSUES IN THE MARKET
How can France as a destination compete against other European rivals?
How can the package holiday segment gain market share?
How can the industry target consumers who have never visited France?
Does rural France offer opportunities for expansion?
TREND APPLICATION
Trend: Accentuate the Negative
No Resting Place
Mintel Futures: East Meets West
MARKET DRIVERS
Key points
A weakening Pound could drive holidaymakers outside of the Eurozone
Figure 15: Average weekly midpoint exchange rates for GBP against EUR, January 2010-January 2013
Tourist expenditure abroad posts signs of recovery
Figure 16: Seasonally adjusted UK tourist expenditure abroad vs. total household final consumption expenditure, 2002-12
High fuel prices, APD rise and delay compensation rulings to increase cost of flying
Figure 17: Jet fuel prices, GBP per gallon, December 2007-December 2012
Unleaded petrol motorists face a 10% premium when filling up in France
Figure 18: Motoring on the Continent cost barometer, 2010-12
CAA ad campaign to improve consumer awareness of ATOL protection
Eurotunnel’s acquisition of SeaFrance vessels faces investigation
Proposed tax increases on foreign homeowners to increase costs
France loses share to Mediterranean rivals Spain, Greece and Italy
Figure 19: Top ten overseas holiday destinations, by volume, 2011 and 2012
WHO'S INNOVATING?
Key points
Air France introduces MiNi fares
Eurostar opens up the South of France with direct train services
Marseille named European Capital of Culture
The Louvre branches out into Lens
Les Miserables puts a smile on the face of French tourist destinations
A vineyard for the whole family
MARKET SIZE AND FORECAST
Key points
Contraction in the market is set to slow as economic recovery kicks in
Figure 20: Estimated holidays to France market, by volume and value, 2007-17
Forecast
Figure 21: Estimated holidays to France market, by value, 2007-17
Figure 22: Estimated holidays to France market, by volume, 2007-17
SEGMENT PERFORMANCE
Key points
Independent segment held three quarters of the market in 2011
Figure 23: Package vs. independent holidays to France, by volume, 2007-11
Package holidaymakers spend 20% more abroad than independents
Figure 24: Package vs. independent holidays to France, by average expenditure per trip, 2007-11
45-54s account for 19% of the total market value
Figure 25: Volume and value of visits to France by UK residents, by age, 2011
Air travel to France has fallen by 27% over a five-year period
Figure 26: Volume of visits to France by UK residents, by mode of transport, 2007-11
COMPANIES AND PRODUCTS
Eurostar International Ltd / Groupe Eurotunnel
Background
Financial performance and strategy
Figure 27: Key data for Groupe Eurotunnel, 2010 and 2011
Figure 28: Key data for Eurostar Ltd, 2010 and 2011
Recent activity
Marketing and promotion
P&O Ferries Ltd
Background
Financial performance and strategy
Figure 29: Key data for P&O Ferries Ltd, 2010 and 2011
Recent activity
Marketing and promotion
MyFerryLink
Thomas Cook plc
Background
Financial performance and strategy
Figure 30: Key financial data for Thomas Cook plc, 2010 and 2011
Recent activity
Marketing and promotion
TUI Travel plc
Background
Financial performance and strategy
Figure 31: Key Financial data for TUI Travel plc, 2010 and 2011
Recent activity
Marketing and promotion
 EASYJET PLC
Background
Financial performance and strategy
Figure 32: Key financial data for easyJet Plc, 2011 and 2012
Recent activity
Marketing and promotion
Inghams
Background
Financial performance and strategy
Figure 33: Key financial data for Hotelplan (UK Group) Limited, 2010 and 2011
French Tourist Board
Marketing activity
HOLIDAYS TO FRANCE TAKEN IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS
Key points
Two thirds of adults have taken a holiday to France
Figure 34: Holidays to France taken in the past five years, November 2012
The market over the past five years has been driven by under-35s
Figure 35: Holidays to France taken in the past five years, by age, November 2012
Higher earners have dominated the market over the past five years
Figure 36: Holidays to France taken in the past five years, by annual household income, November 2012
TYPES OF HOLIDAY TAKEN TO FRANCE
Key points
Popularity of fly-drive holidays vastly outweighed by using own car
Figure 37: Broad types of holiday taken to France, November 2012
Demand for driving holidays driven by over-55s demographic
Figure 38: Most popular broad types of holiday taken to France, by age, November 2012
DETAILED TYPES OF HOLIDAY TAKEN TO FRANCE
Key points
Cultural and sightseeing the most popular type of holiday taken in France
Figure 39: Detailed types of holiday taken to France, November 2012
Beach holidays in France fail to appeal to those without children
Figure 40: Most popular detailed types of holiday taken to France, by presence of children, November 2012
REGIONS STAYED IN
Key points
Paris remains the most popular destination in France
Figure 41: Regions stayed in on holiday to France, November 2012
Over-55s are most likely to take holidays outside of Paris
Figure 42: Most popular regions stayed in on holiday to France, by age, November 2012
Paris dominates city breaks
Figure 43: Regions stayed in on holiday to France, by detailed types of holiday taken to France, November 2012
BOOKING METHOD USED
Key points
Online dominates as the booking method of choice
Figure 44: Booking method used for holiday to France, November 2012
Two thirds of city break holidaymakers booked wholly online
Figure 45: Booking method used for holiday to France, by types of holiday, November 2012
ONLINE BOOKING METHOD USED
Key points
Booking directly with individual suppliers is the most popular online booking method
Figure 46: Online booking method used for holidays to France, November 2012
Under-35s are more likely to book online through an intermediary
Figure 47: Most popular online booking methods used, by age, November 2012
REASONS FOR NOT VISITING FRANCE
Key points
Cost is the primary reason for consumers not taking holidays to France
Figure 48: Reasons for not visiting France, November 2012
Over-55s are more likely to view France as unwelcoming
Figure 49: Most popular reasons for not visiting France, by age, November 2012
ATTITUDES TOWARDS FRANCE
Key points
France’s culture and history are major attractions
Figure 50: Attitudes towards France, November 2012
Recent visitors to France are more likely to express positive attitudes
Figure 51: Attitudes towards France, by holidays to France taken in the past five years, November 2012
Higher earners are more likely to view France favourably
Figure 52: Attitudes towards France, by household income, November 2012
A quarter of 25-34s cite France as their favourite holiday destination
Figure 53: Attitudes towards France, by age, November 2012
The capacity to take a car to France appeals most to those with children
Figure 54: Attitudes towards France, by presence of children, November 2012
PLANNED TRIPS IN 2013
Key points
One in ten adults are planning a trip to France in 2013
Figure 55: Planned trips in 2013, November 2012
Tourism to France in 2013 to be driven by higher earners
Figure 56: Selected planned trips in 2013, by household income, November 2012
France’s food, drink and weather to drive tourism from the UK in 2013
Figure 57: Planned trips to France in 2013, by attitudes towards France, November 2012
APPENDIX - INTERNATIONAL AIR PASSENGER TRAFFIC DATA
International air passenger traffic to and from France
Figure 58: International air passenger traffic to and from France, by passengers uplifted, 2007-11
Top ten air traffic routes to and from France
Figure 59: Top ten air traffic routes to and from France, by passengers uplifted, 2010 and 2011
Top ten best-performing air traffic routes to and from France
Figure 60: Top ten best-performing air traffic routes to and from France, by passengers uplifted, 2010 and 2011
Top ten worst-performing air traffic routes to and from France
Figure 61: Top ten worst-performing air traffic routes to and from France, by passengers uplifted, 2010 and 2011
Top ten UK airports
Figure 62: Top ten UK airports, by passengers uplifted to and from France, 2010 and 2011
Top ten French airports
Figure 63: Top ten French airports, by passengers uplifted to and from UK, 2010 and 2011
Top ten best-performing UK airports
Figure 64: Top ten best-performing UK airports, by passengers uplifted to and from France, 2010 and 2011
Top ten best-performing French airports
Figure 65: Top ten best-performing French airports, by passengers uplifted to and from UK, 2010 and 2011
Top ten worst-performing UK airports
Figure 66: Top ten worst-performing UK airports, by passengers uplifted to and from France, 2010 and 2011
Top ten worst-performing French airports
Figure 67: Top ten worst-performing French airports, by passengers uplifted to and from UK, 2010 and 2011
APPENDIX - HOLIDAYS TO FRANCE TAKEN IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS
Figure 68: Holidays to France taken in the past five years, November 2012
Figure 69: Holidays to France taken in the past five years, by demographics, November 2012
APPENDIX - TYPES OF HOLIDAYS TAKEN TO FRANCE
Figure 70: Broad types of holiday taken to France, November 2012
Figure 71: Broad types of holiday taken to France, by broad types of holiday taken to France, November 2012
Figure 72: Broad types of holiday taken to France, by demographics, November 2012
APPENDIX - DETAILED TYPES OF HOLIDAYS TAKEN TO FRANCE
Figure 73: Detailed types of holiday taken to France, November 2012
Figure 74: Broad types of holiday taken to France, by detailed types of holiday taken to France, November 2012
Figure 75: Regions stayed in on holiday to France in the past five years, by detailed types of holiday taken to France, November 2012
Figure 76: Detailed types of holiday taken in the last five years to France, by demographics, November 2012
Figure 77: Detailed types of last holiday taken to France, by demographics, November 2012
APPENDIX - REGIONS STAYED IN
Figure 78: Regions stayed in on holiday to France in the past five years, November 2012
Figure 79: Broad types of holiday taken to France, by regions stayed in on holiday to Northern France in the past five years, November 2012
Figure 80: Broad types of holiday taken to France, by regions stayed in on holiday to Normandy in the past five years, November 2012
Figure 81: Broad types of holiday taken to France, by regions stayed in on holiday to Brittany in the past five years, November 2012
Figure 82: Broad types of holiday taken to France, by regions stayed in on holiday to Pays de la Loire in the past five years, November 2012
Figure 83: Broad types of holiday taken to France, by regions stayed in on holiday to other Western France in the past five years, November 2012
Figure 84: Broad types of holiday taken to France, by regions stayed in on holiday to Paris in the past five years, November 2012
Figure 85: Broad types of holiday taken to France, by regions stayed in on holiday to Southern France in the past five years, November 2012
Figure 86: Broad types of holiday taken to France, by regions stayed in on holiday to Eastern France in the past five years, November 2012
Figure 87: Broad types of holiday taken to France, by regions stayed in on holiday to South Western France in the past five years, November 2012
Figure 88: Broad types of holiday taken to France, by regions stayed in on holiday to Central France and Overseas territories in the past five years, November 2012
Figure 89: Regions stayed in on holiday to France in the past five years, by broad types of holiday taken to France, November 2012
Figure 90: Regions stayed in on holiday to Paris in the past five years, by demographics, November 2012
Figure 91: Regions stayed in on holiday to Northern France in the past five years, by demographics, November 2012
Figure 92: Regions stayed in on holiday to Southern France in the past five years, by demographics, November 2012
Figure 93: Regions stayed in on holiday to Normandy in the past five years, by demographics, November 2012
Figure 94: Regions stayed in on holiday to Brittany in the past five years, by demographics, November 2012
Figure 95: Regions stayed in on holiday to South Western France in the past five years, by demographics, November 2012
Figure 96: Regions stayed in on holiday to other Western France in the past five years, by demographics, November 2012
Figure 97: Regions stayed in on holiday to Eastern France and Pays de la Loire (Vendee, Nantes, Angers) in the past five years, by demographics, November 2012
Figure 98: Regions stayed in on holiday to Central France and Overseas territories in the past five years, by demographics, November 2012
APPENDIX - BOOKING METHOD USED
Figure 99: Booking method used, November 2012
Figure 100: Types of holiday, by booking method, November 2012
Figure 101: Booking method used, by demographics, November 2012
APPENDIX - ONLINE BOOKING METHOD USED
Figure 102: Online booking method used, November 2012
Figure 103: Mix of other methods used to book holidays, November 2012
Figure 104: Online booking method used, by broad types of holiday taken to France, November 2012
Figure 105: Online booking method used, by detailed types of holiday taken to France, November 2012
Figure 106: Online booking method used, by demographics, November 2012
APPENDIX - REASONS FOR NOT VISITING FRANCE
Figure 107: Reasons for not visiting France, November 2012
Figure 108: Most popular reasons for not visiting France, by demographics, November 2012
Figure 109: Next most popular reasons for not visiting France, by demographics, November 2012
APPENDIX - ATTITUDES TOWARDS FRANCE
Figure 110: Attitudes towards France, November 2012
Figure 111: Attitudes towards France, by holidays to France taken in the past five years, November 2012
Figure 112: Agreement with the statements ‘France is a great place for a short break’ and ‘French culture and history make it an attractive destination’, by demographics, November 2012
Figure 113: Agreement with the statements ‘France is a good place to go with the family’ and ‘France appeals because you can get there by rail’, by demographics, November 2012
Figure 114: Agreement with the statements ‘France appeals because you can take your own car’ and ‘France is an expensive place for a holiday’, by demographics, November 2012
Figure 115: Agreement with the statements ‘The food and drink of France is a major attraction’ and ‘France is attractive because of the weather’, by demographics, November 2012
Figure 116: Agreement with the statements ‘You really need to speak French to go on holiday there’ and ‘France is not a welcoming and friendly holiday destination’, by demographics, November 2012
Figure 117: Agreement with the statements ‘France is an uninteresting holiday destination’ and ‘France is my favourite holiday destination’, by demographics, November 2012
APPENDIX - PLANNED TRIPS IN 2013
Figure 118: Planned trips in 2013, November 2012
Figure 119: Planned trips in 2013, by most popular attitudes towards France – any agree, November 2012
Figure 120: Planned trips in 2013, by next most popular attitudes towards France – any agree, November 2012
Figure 121: Most popular planned trips in 2013, by demographics, November 2012
Figure 122: Next most popular planned trips in 2013, by demographics, November 2012