The world is flocking to UK for London 2012

Travel data provided by Amadeus and ForwardKeys.com, revealed the travel trends impacted by London 2012 Olympics. International visitors are set to flock to London for the Games (July 23-August 12), based on actual global air reservations, with Asia representing the highest growth region for bookings.

UK citizens, on the other hand, appear to be happy to stay at home for the Games, deferring outbound travel until the event is over.

Key trends from the research:

• Europe, North America driving traffic to London, Asia takes gold for biggest growth

Europe and North America are the source regions with the greatest proportion of arrivals to London during the period of the Games, accounting for 46% and 23% of total expected arrivals respectively. However as the third biggest market, Asia, which is the source region for 9% of arrivals, has seen the most significant increase in bookings compared to 2011, experiencing a 27% increase. This growth and dominance of inbound traffic from Asian nations during the Olympic period is thanks primarily to Japan and India’s growing flows to London.

• US, Germany top source markets, BRICS’ arrivals increase 40%
US is the single biggest source nation for traffic to the Olympics, accounting for 19% of total expected arrivals – a 12% increase on 2011. Germany is the second largest source market, responsible for 8% of total expected arrivals. Interestingly, BRICS nations (Brazil, China, India, Russia and South Africa) are emerging as important source nations for long-haul travel to London during the Olympics period: BRICS countries are seeing a 40% increase in bookings compared with 2011, representing a 9% share of total arrivals.

• New York most popular US source city for travel to London

The 12% increase in expected traffic from US to London during the Olympics period is being fuelled by traffic from the nation’s largest cities. New York City, in particular, is seeing a dramatic 48% increase in bookings to London for this period compared with 2011. San Francisco is also seeing a remarkable growth, up 29% from 2011, with Chicago and Washington also registering increases of 13% and 18% respectively. Remarkably, one large US source city – Los Angeles – is seeing a decrease in traffic to London over the period July 23 to August 12, at -3% compared to 2011.

• High occupancy in London
From the opening ceremony onwards, throughout the duration of the Olympic Games, London will experience a high level of occupancy (i.e. number of visitors staying in London), with numbers 7% higher than last year for the period between the opening and closing ceremonies. The greatest increase in occupancy compared with 2011 is between August 4 and 8.

• Londoners defer outbound trips until after the Olympics
Londoners intend to remain in the city and enjoy the spectacle during the Olympics period. Departures to any destination from London for the period before the opening ceremony are 5% below 2011 levels. Across the whole summer (July 2 to September 2) 2% fewer Londoners will leave the city than in 2011. However, Londoners aren’t forgoing a holiday altogether, simply deferring it, as three weeks after the closing ceremony departures will increase to 10% more than in the same period in 2011.

David Brett, president, of Amadeus Asia Pacific said that with Asia as the third largest source region for travel to London during the Olympics was testament to the significance role Asia Pacific plays within the global travel stage today.