New Study Shows Rising Trend of International Travel for Westerners During Holiday Season
Wednesday 27 November, 2024 – As the holiday season approaches, more and more Westerners are choosing to leave the cold weather behind and travel to warmer destinations abroad. According to new research from the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), nearly one-third of Britons are planning to travel beyond the UK’s borders this year. Similarly, a study conducted by travel website The Vacationer reveals that almost 30% of Americans will be hitting the highways and skyways over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
However, despite the increasing trend of international travel, PwC’s 2024 Holiday Outlook report suggests that holidaymakers are becoming more cautious about their spending. While inflation has cooled down this year, the report notes that the “cumulative effect of price increases over recent years continues to influence spending patterns”. As a result, many travellers are now looking for ways to save money during their trips.
In response to this need for smart spending, global eSIM service provider KnowRoaming has launched its best-ever Global Unlimited eSIM plans. These plans are designed to provide travellers with high-speed data on demand at affordable prices. Customers can now choose from a variety of plans, including 3-Day Plan ($7.99), 5-Day Plan ($11.99), 10-Day Plan ($22.99), or 15-Day Plan ($34.99), each of which offers a massive 80% discount. These plans come with 2GB of high-speed data per day and reduced speeds after reaching the daily limit.
eSIM technology, which eliminates the need for physical SIM cards, has revolutionized connectivity for travellers. According to research by global data specialist Statista, the number of eSIM smartphone connections worldwide reached almost 600 million in 2024, more than three times the number reported in 2022.
With KnowRoaming’s Global Unlimited eSIM plans, travellers can enjoy seamless coverage in over 140 destinations worldwide. The plans can be easily purchased through the company’s website or iOS and Android apps, and can be activated at no extra cost.
Travel blogger and photographer Jodie Dewberry, who has been to Portugal, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Australia, and Morocco this year alone, has found eSIMs to be extremely useful for her work. “eSIMs are much more convenient than physical SIM cards. You can organize and download the app before you travel, so there’s no need to waste time on arrival. It also means you have instant access to data when you land at a new destination, which is sometimes when you need it the most,” Dewberry says.
Inma Gregorio, another travel blogger and content creator who has lived in Canada, the US, Germany, Portugal, France, Morocco and Hungary, agrees that eSIMs are a “no-brainer” for anyone who relies on connectivity to work on the go. “They’ve been fantastic, especially in Europe. I can avoid the hassle of hunting down physical SIM cards in every new place, and there is zero downtime waiting for connectivity,” she says.
KnowRoaming’s Global Unlimited eSIM plans are now available for purchase on their website and apps. With the convenience, affordability, and global coverage these plans offer, more and more travellers are expected to make the switch to eSIM technology for their future trips.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.