1. Travel

2. Source: RAMetrics. Countries: England/Scotland.
Key Findings: Travel ads
Print ads for travel brands are less impactful (61% recall) than ads across all categories (70% recall) and as a result score below average across almost all brand measures. When noticed, they score particularly well for likeability, are more appealing and more interesting - recognisers are also more likely to think that the brand has taken a fresh approach.
Lumen eye-tracking shows that readers’ viewing is biased towards right hand pages of a spread – RAMetrics corroborates these findings for travel advertisers, with some exception, such as ad recall where both sides come out equally strong. Ads on the right hand side score better for attention, recognition and tend to be more engaging.
Image based ads have higher impact but price based ads are much more common (61% vs 54%). Image based ads demand more attention and score higher for familiarity, readers also find them more interesting and are more likely to recommend the brand/product advertised.
Readers earning above £30,000 per annum and readers earning below £30,000 per annum, are both equally likely to notice travel print ads (62%), despite this high earners score significantly better across all brand and action measures – they are more likely to pay attention and to be familiar with the product/brand being advertised.
18-34 year olds score significantly higher than adults aged over 35 across all brand measures for travel print ads, especially when it comes to having an emotional response (81% vs 41% for 35+). Comparing against the all category averages, travel print ads have lower impact (76% recall) than ads across all categories (83% recall) for 18-34s, however they score significantly higher across all brand metrics and are stronger than other categories when it comes to delivering on action.
Digital ads for travel are just as noticeable as digital ads for all categories, however they are less engaging. Their strength lies in driving hard metrics which are more action orientated
Our ancestors travelled by foot, their successors took to the seas, then came the railroad and eventually we took to the skies. Whether we’re going on holiday, migrating in search of new homes or embarking on gap years, it is clear humans have an innate curiosity. We have a desire to explore that has kept us moving throughout history, crossing frontiers and discovering new environments.
Taking time off is what most of us look forward to the most, with Google searches for flights and holidays peaking in the first week of January according to Google Trends. However the travel sector has faced its share of challenges in recent times, with Brexit negotiations dominating the headlines and airlines filing for bankruptcy, more Britons are leaning towards holidays closer to home. In fact, almost half of Britons (23.9 million) took a staycation in the last 12 months.
Travel editorial is a key part of newsbrands across all platforms and readers still rely on newsbrands for inspiration and ideas. According to the latest TGI Clickstream survey, a quarter of 18-34s say that newspapers and magazine articles on holiday and travel influence their choice of holiday.
We know that newspapers are highly effective in the media mix: Benchmarketing’s analysis of econometric models shows that adding print newsbrands to a travel campaign increases effectiveness by three times.
Analysis of RAMetrics data shows that, from a creative perspective, travel ads could be involving readers a whole lot more, they are less impactful (61% ad recall) than ads across all categories (70% ad recall) and as a result they score below average across all brand measures. However, understandably, not everyone is in the market for a holiday at all times, so how about those are?
When noticed, print ads for travel score particularly well for likeability (46% vs 39% for all ad across all categories), they are more appealing (48% vs 38% for all ad across all categories) and more interesting (50% vs 40% for all ad across all categories) – recognisers are also more likely to think that the brand has taken a fresh approach (51% vs 43% for all ad across all categories).
Lumen eye-tracking shows that readers’ viewing is biased towards right-hand pages of a spread and adverts on the right are seen more: 94% see full-page ads on right-hand pages, 89% view when on left-hand page. RAMetrics confirms these findings for travel advertisers, with some exceptions, such as ad recall where both sides come out equally strong (59%). Taking a closer look at some brand metrics, ads on the right-hand side are more likely to be recognised by readers (familiarity: 33% vs 37% for right-hand side ads) and tend to be more engaging (fresh approach: 29% vs 32% for right-hand side ads).
Image-based advertising tends to have more of an emotional impact, whereas price-based advertising is more effective at prompting action. For the travel sector, price-based ads are more common than image-based ads, despite image-based ads being more impactful (61% vs 54% for price-based ads). Image based ads demand more attention (25% vs 17% for price-based ads) and score higher for familiarity (38% vs 26% for price-based ads). Readers also find them more interesting (33% vs 23% for price-based ads), easier to understand (41% vs 36% for price-based ads) and are more likely to recommend the brand/product advertised (27% vs 17% for price-based ads).
So what about different income groups? How do readers earning below £30,000 per annum (low-earners) and readers earning above £30,000 per annum (high-earners), respond to travel ads in newspapers? It turns out that both groups are equally likely to notice the ads (ad recall: 62%), however, high-earners score significantly better across brand and action measures, they are more likely to pay attention (46% vs 32% for low-earners) and more likely to be familiar with the brand or product being advertised (64% vs 51% for low-earners).
When it comes to age, young people (18-34s) score significantly higher than the over 35s across all brand measures, especially when it comes to having an emotional response (81% vs 21% for 35+). They’re more likely to recognise the branding (51% vs 46% for 35+), and they like the ads more too (68% vs 42% for 35+).
Next let’s take a look at how young peoples’ responses to travel advertising in print stack up against their responses to print ads in other categories. When compared against all the category averages, travel print ads have lower impact (76% recall) than ads across all categories (83% recall) for 18-34s.
However they score significantly higher across all brand metrics. They provide the reader with new information (76% vs 61% for all ad across all categories) and evoke emotions (81% vs 41% for all ad across all categories). They even deliver on action; in fact 18-34s are more likely to recommend (60% vs 46% for all ad across all categories) and discuss the products and brands seen in the print travel ads (36% vs 24% for all ad across all categories).
Looking specifically at digital, it’s interesting to note that ads for the travel sector are just as noticeable as digital ads for other categories on newspaper sites. However they are less engaging and readers find them less appealing (11% vs 13% for all ad across all categories). Their strength lies in driving hard metrics which are more action orientated, such as encouraging visits to the advertiser (13% vs 7% for all ad across all categories) and encouraging consumers to look for more information (11% vs 8% for all ad across all categories).
Source: RAMetrics. Countries: England/Scotland.

3. Travel vs all ads - print ad recall
Ad recall: Do you recall seeing the ad? % saying yes
Source: RAMetrics. Countries: England/Scotland. All ads – 30 ads from 10/05/2017 to 25/07/2017, Travel – 33 ads from 21/05/2015 to 25/07/2017. Score base: read the newspaper.

4. Print - Travel vs all ads among all readers
brand measures
attention +
recognition
engagement
action
Travel
All
Attention: How closely did you read/look at the ad? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Branding: How difficult or easy was it to understand the source/sender of the ad? % scoring above 9 on 10 pt scale
Familiarity: How well did you previously know the advertiser? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Like ad: How did you like the ad? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Easy to understand: The ad is easy to understand. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
New Information: The ad contains news or new information. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Positive: The ad makes me feel positive towards the advertiser. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Appeals to me: Ad appeals to you. % Yes
Benefit: Have you benefited or will you benefit from something in the ad? % Yes
Interesting: The ad is interesting. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Fresh approach: The ad has an original design. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Emotional : Did you react to the advertisement emotionally? % Yes
Look for more information: Have you looked for or will you look for more information as a result of seeing the ad? % Yes
Visit a website: Have you visited or will you visit the website as a result of the ad? % Yes
Visit advertiser: Have you visited or will you visit this advertiser as a result of seeing this ad? % Yes
Have bought/will buy: Have you bought or will you buy something as a result of seeing this ad? % Yes
Recommend: Have you recommended or will you recommend the company / product due to the advertising? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale (Added in April 2016)
Discuss: Have you been talking about / discussing the company, offer or product as a result of seeing the advertising? % Yes (Added in April 2016)
Source: RAMetrics. Countries: England/Scotland. All ads – 30 ads from 10/05/2017 to 25/07/2017, Travel – 33 ads from 21/05/2015 to 25/07/2017. Score base: read the newspaper.

5. Print – Travel 5 year funnel
Ad recall 61%
Brand recognition 30%
Engagement 28%
Action 13%
49%
93%
46%
Ad recall: Do you recall seeing the ad? % saying yes
Source: RAMetrics. Countries: England/Scotland. 70 ads from 01/01/2013 – 31/12/2017, Score base: read the newspaper.

6. Print – Travel ads when noticed, are more engaging than all ads
brand measures
attention +
recognition
engagement
action
Travel
All
Attention: How closely did you read/look at the ad? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Branding: How difficult or easy was it to understand the source/sender of the ad? % scoring above 9 on 10 pt scale
Familiarity: How well did you previously know the advertiser? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Like ad: How did you like the ad? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Easy to understand: The ad is easy to understand. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
New Information: The ad contains news or new information. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Positive: The ad makes me feel positive towards the advertiser. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Appeals to me: Ad appeals to you. % Yes
Benefit: Have you benefited or will you benefit from something in the ad? % Yes
Interesting: The ad is interesting. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Fresh approach: The ad has an original design. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Emotional : Did you react to the advertisement emotionally? % Yes
Look for more information: Have you looked for or will you look for more information as a result of seeing the ad? % Yes
Visit a website: Have you visited or will you visit the website as a result of the ad? % Yes
Visit advertiser: Have you visited or will you visit this advertiser as a result of seeing this ad? % Yes
Have bought/will buy: Have you bought or will you buy something as a result of seeing this ad? % Yes
Recommend: Have you recommended or will you recommend the company / product due to the advertising? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale (Added in April 2016)
Discuss: Have you been talking about / discussing the company, offer or product as a result of seeing the advertising? % Yes (Added in April 2016)
Source: RAMetrics. Countries: England/Scotland. All ads – 30 ads from 10/05/2017 to 25/07/2017, Travel – 33 ads from 21/05/2015 to 25/07/2017. Score base: noticed ad

7. Travel print – LHS vs RHS ad recall
Ad recall: Do you recall seeing the ad? % saying yes
Source: RAMetrics. Countries: England/Scotland. Left – 28 ads from 01/01/2013 to 25/07/2017, Right– 30 ads from 01/03/2013 to 25/07/2017. Score base: read the newspaper.

8. Travel print – LHS vs RHS
brand measures
attention +
recognition
engagement
action
Right
Left
Attention: How closely did you read/look at the ad? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Branding: How difficult or easy was it to understand the source/sender of the ad? % scoring above 9 on 10 pt scale
Familiarity: How well did you previously know the advertiser? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Like ad: How did you like the ad? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Easy to understand: The ad is easy to understand. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
New Information: The ad contains news or new information. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Positive: The ad makes me feel positive towards the advertiser. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Appeals to me: Ad appeals to you. % Yes
Benefit: Have you benefited or will you benefit from something in the ad? % Yes
Interesting: The ad is interesting. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Fresh approach: The ad has an original design. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Emotional : Did you react to the advertisement emotionally? % Yes
Look for more information: Have you looked for or will you look for more information as a result of seeing the ad? % Yes
Visit a website: Have you visited or will you visit the website as a result of the ad? % Yes
Visit advertiser: Have you visited or will you visit this advertiser as a result of seeing this ad? % Yes
Have bought/will buy: Have you bought or will you buy something as a result of seeing this ad? % Yes
Recommend: Have you recommended or will you recommend the company / product due to the advertising? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale (Added in April 2016)
Discuss: Have you been talking about / discussing the company, offer or product as a result of seeing the advertising? % Yes (Added in April 2016)
Source: RAMetrics. Countries: England/Scotland. Left – 28 ads from 01/01/2013 to 25/07/2017, Right– 30 ads from 01/03/2013 to 25/07/2017. Score base: read the newspaper.

9. Travel print – Image vs price ad recall
Ad recall: Do you recall seeing the ad? % saying yes
Source: RAMetrics. Countries: England/Scotland. Image – 30 ads from 01/11/2010 to 25/07/2017, Price – 31 ads from 01/12/2012 to 25/07/2017. Score base: read the newspaper.

10. Travel print – Image vs price
brand measures
attention +
recognition
engagement
action
Price
Image
Attention: How closely did you read/look at the ad? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Branding: How difficult or easy was it to understand the source/sender of the ad? % scoring above 9 on 10 pt scale
Familiarity: How well did you previously know the advertiser? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Like ad: How did you like the ad? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Easy to understand: The ad is easy to understand. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
New Information: The ad contains news or new information. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Positive: The ad makes me feel positive towards the advertiser. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Appeals to me: Ad appeals to you. % Yes
Benefit: Have you benefited or will you benefit from something in the ad? % Yes
Interesting: The ad is interesting. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Fresh approach: The ad has an original design. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Emotional : Did you react to the advertisement emotionally? % Yes
Look for more information: Have you looked for or will you look for more information as a result of seeing the ad? % Yes
Visit a website: Have you visited or will you visit the website as a result of the ad? % Yes
Visit advertiser: Have you visited or will you visit this advertiser as a result of seeing this ad? % Yes
Have bought/will buy: Have you bought or will you buy something as a result of seeing this ad? % Yes
Recommend: Have you recommended or will you recommend the company / product due to the advertising? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale (Added in April 2016)
Discuss: Have you been talking about / discussing the company, offer or product as a result of seeing the advertising? % Yes (Added in April 2016)
Source: RAMetrics. Countries: England/Scotland. Image – 30 ads from 01/11/2010 to 25/07/2017, Price – 31 ads from 01/12/2012 to 25/07/2017. Score base: read the newspaper.

11. Travel print – High income earners vs low income earners ad recall
Ad recall: Do you recall seeing the ad? % saying yes
High income earners: Personal income of £30,000+
Low income earners: Personal income below £30,000
Source: RAMetrics. Countries: England/Scotland. Travel – 33 ads from 21/05/2015 to 25/07/2017. Score base: read the newspaper.

12. Travel print – High income earners vs low income earners recall
brand measures
attention +
recognition
engagement
action
Low income
High income
Attention: How closely did you read/look at the ad? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Branding: How difficult or easy was it to understand the source/sender of the ad? % scoring above 9 on 10 pt scale
Familiarity: How well did you previously know the advertiser? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Like ad: How did you like the ad? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Easy to understand: The ad is easy to understand. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
New Information: The ad contains news or new information. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Positive: The ad makes me feel positive towards the advertiser. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Appeals to me: Ad appeals to you. % Yes
Benefit: Have you benefited or will you benefit from something in the ad? % Yes
Interesting: The ad is interesting. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Fresh approach: The ad has an original design. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Emotional : Did you react to the advertisement emotionally? % Yes
Look for more information: Have you looked for or will you look for more information as a result of seeing the ad? % Yes
Visit a website: Have you visited or will you visit the website as a result of the ad? % Yes
Visit advertiser: Have you visited or will you visit this advertiser as a result of seeing this ad? % Yes
Have bought/will buy: Have you bought or will you buy something as a result of seeing this ad? % Yes
Recommend: Have you recommended or will you recommend the company / product due to the advertising? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale (Added in April 2016)
Discuss: Have you been talking about / discussing the company, offer or product as a result of seeing the advertising? % Yes (Added in April 2016)
Source: RAMetrics. Countries: England/Scotland. Travel – 33 ads from 21/05/2015 to 25/07/2017. Score base: read the newspaper.

13. Travel print – 18-34s vs 35+ ad recall
Ad recall: Do you recall seeing the ad? % saying yes
Source: RAMetrics. Countries: England/Scotland. Travel – 33 ads from 21/05/2015 to 25/07/2017. Score base: read the newspaper.

14. Travel print - 18-34s vs 35+ brand measures attention + recognition
engagement
action
35+
18-34s
Attention: How closely did you read/look at the ad? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Branding: How difficult or easy was it to understand the source/sender of the ad? % scoring above 9 on 10 pt scale
Familiarity: How well did you previously know the advertiser? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Like ad: How did you like the ad? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Easy to understand: The ad is easy to understand. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
New Information: The ad contains news or new information. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Positive: The ad makes me feel positive towards the advertiser. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Appeals to me: Ad appeals to you. % Yes
Benefit: Have you benefited or will you benefit from something in the ad? % Yes
Interesting: The ad is interesting. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Fresh approach: The ad has an original design. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Emotional : Did you react to the advertisement emotionally? % Yes
Look for more information: Have you looked for or will you look for more information as a result of seeing the ad? % Yes
Visit a website: Have you visited or will you visit the website as a result of the ad? % Yes
Visit advertiser: Have you visited or will you visit this advertiser as a result of seeing this ad? % Yes
Have bought/will buy: Have you bought or will you buy something as a result of seeing this ad? % Yes
Recommend: Have you recommended or will you recommend the company / product due to the advertising? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale (Added in April 2016)
Discuss: Have you been talking about / discussing the company, offer or product as a result of seeing the advertising? % Yes (Added in April 2016)
Source: RAMetrics. Countries: England/Scotland. Travel – 33 ads from 21/05/2015 to 25/07/2017. Score base: read the newspaper.

15. Travel vs all ads – 18-34s ad recall
Ad recall: Do you recall seeing the ad? % saying yes
Source: RAMetrics. Countries: England/Scotland. All ads – 30 ads from to 08/05/2017 to 25/07/2, Travel – 33 ads from 21/05/2015 to 25/07/2017. Score base: read the newspaper

16. Travel print vs all ads – 18-34s
brand measures
attention +
recognition
engagement
action
Travel ads
All ads
Attention: How closely did you read/look at the ad? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Branding: How difficult or easy was it to understand the source/sender of the ad? % scoring above 9 on 10 pt scale
Familiarity: How well did you previously know the advertiser? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Like ad: How did you like the ad? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Easy to understand: The ad is easy to understand. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
New Information: The ad contains news or new information. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Positive: The ad makes me feel positive towards the advertiser. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Appeals to me: Ad appeals to you. % Yes
Benefit: Have you benefited or will you benefit from something in the ad? % Yes
Interesting: The ad is interesting. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Fresh approach: The ad has an original design. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Emotional : Did you react to the advertisement emotionally? % Yes
Look for more information: Have you looked for or will you look for more information as a result of seeing the ad? % Yes
Visit a website: Have you visited or will you visit the website as a result of the ad? % Yes
Visit advertiser: Have you visited or will you visit this advertiser as a result of seeing this ad? % Yes
Have bought/will buy: Have you bought or will you buy something as a result of seeing this ad? % Yes
Recommend: Have you recommended or will you recommend the company / product due to the advertising? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale (Added in April 2016)
Discuss: Have you been talking about / discussing the company, offer or product as a result of seeing the advertising? % Yes (Added in April 2016)
Source: RAMetrics. Countries: England/Scotland. All ads – 30 ads from to 08/05/2017 to 25/07/2, Travel – 33 ads from 21/05/2015 to 25/07/2017. Score base: read the newspaper

17. Travel vs all ads - digital ad recall
NB: Low base for travel category
Ad recall: Do you recall seeing the ad? % saying yes
Source: RAMetrics. Countries: England/Scotland. All ads – 30 ads from 01/02/2016 to 25/07/2017, Travel – 16 ads from 01/01/2009 to 25/07/2017. Score base: read the digital newspaper.

18. Digital - Travel vs all ads
brand measures
attention +
recognition
engagement
action
Travel ads
All ads
NB: Low base for travel category
Attention: How closely did you read/look at the ad? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Branding: How difficult or easy was it to understand the source/sender of the ad? % scoring above 9 on 10 pt scale
Familiarity: How well did you previously know the advertiser? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Like ad: How did you like the ad? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Easy to understand: The ad is easy to understand. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
New Information: The ad contains news or new information. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Positive: The ad makes me feel positive towards the advertiser. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Appeals to me: Ad appeals to you. % Yes
Benefit: Have you benefited or will you benefit from something in the ad? % Yes
Interesting: The ad is interesting. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Fresh approach: The ad has an original design. % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale
Emotional : Did you react to the advertisement emotionally? % Yes
Look for more information: Have you looked for or will you look for more information as a result of seeing the ad? % Yes
Visit a website: Have you visited or will you visit the website as a result of the ad? % Yes
Visit advertiser: Have you visited or will you visit this advertiser as a result of seeing this ad? % Yes
Have bought/will buy: Have you bought or will you buy something as a result of seeing this ad? % Yes
Recommend: Have you recommended or will you recommend the company / product due to the advertising? % scoring above 7 on 10 pt scale (Added in April 2016)
Discuss: Have you been talking about / discussing the company, offer or product as a result of seeing the advertising? % Yes (Added in April 2016)
Source: RAMetrics. Countries: England/Scotland. All ads – 30 ads from 01/02/2016 to 25/07/2017, Travel – 16 ads from 01/01/2009 to 25/07/2017. Score base: read the digital newspaper.