RESEARCH continued
While that response is not wide- spread, it underscores the uneven nature of the impact across the industry. Looking ahead, the outlook re- flects continued caution. Approx- imately 72% of sellers expect either a moderate or significant decline in dive travel demand through the remainder of 2026 , with 34% anticipating a significant
decline for the rest of 2026. However, a smaller segment, about 10%, expect growth in alternative destinations, rein- forcing the idea that demand might shift rather than de- crease. At the same time, the consumer responses tell a slightly different story. While the sample size is smaller, the pattern is consistent.
Travel demand is not disappearing. It is shifting geographically and becoming more selective. When viewed together, the two datasets reveal something important: Travel sellers and retailers are feeling the impact through slower bookings, increased cancellations, and more complex customer interactions. Divers, however, are signaling that the desire to travel is still very much intact.
They are simply taking longer to decide, asking more questions, and committing closer to de- parture. That gap between perception and behavior matters. It suggests that what the in-
The majority of divers surveyed (85%) indicate they are an active diver and take at least one trip out of their home country per year to dive . Of these, 53% say they have already booked an inter- national dive trip within the next
“I am educating myself on travel insurance options, and partnering with a dive travel agency who can speak to options at a high level to my customers.” – Survey Respondent
12 months. The data shows that 31% are planning to book but not committed as of yet. Rather than cancelling outright, many are delaying decisions. A significant portion indicated they are “waiting to book,” “watching the situation,” or pushing travel further out, in some cases into 2027. The booking windows are very much tied to each region where the divers live. Long haul trips are still in the 12+ months window, whereas closer destinations are mostly booked in the three to six month window. Consumer responses also highlight an important nuance. Not all destinations are viewed equally. Perceived safety varies by region . The Caribbean/Bahamas remain relatively stable in the eyes of most divers, with generally low concern levels. Mexico and parts of Central America and the Mediter- ranean show more mixed sentiment, ranging from neutral to elevated concern. Southeast Asia reflects moderate concern, often tied to travel logistics and transit routes. The Middle East and Red Sea stand apart, with consistently high concern levels across respondents as would be expected with a war raging in the region. This reinforces what many operators are already experiencing.
dustry is experiencing today is not a loss of demand, but a compression of the decision-making window. Confidence has become the key variable. And in that environment, the role of the travel advisor be- comes more important than ever. As one travel seller re- sponded: “I am educating myself on travel insurance options, and ▪ partnering with a dive travel agency who can speak to options at a high level to my customers.” The takeaway is straightforward: The interest is still there. The demand has not gone away, but where they wish to go has very much changed for the near future. The good news is a large percentage of consumer divers rely on their local dive shop for information on where to go. Pointing to the need for retailers to stay current on what’s happening in the world. Because today, more than ever, divers are not just choosing where to go. They are deciding when they feel confident enough to go.
survey results
email William
PAGE FOURTEEN | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker