Late travel bookings on the rise

According to online travel agent responsibletravel.com, holidaymakers’ confidence has improved over the last three months as almost a fifth (19 percent) of its total customers have gone “late” and spo

According to online travel agent responsibletravel.com, holidaymakers’ confidence has improved over the last three months as almost a fifth (19 percent) of its total customers have gone “late” and spontaneously inquired and departed within a four-week period. Furthermore, over a third (37 percent) of customers have traveled within eight weeks of first inquiring about their holiday.

These four-week, late-booking figures reflect a rise of almost a third (31 percent) compared to the same period last year and almost a fifth (20 percent) for eight-week, late bookings.

The increase comes at a time when tour operators and airlines have already reduced capacity for the upcoming season and across the year in general. The late availability holiday deals that are on offer are being snapped up fast, and according to Justin Francis, managing director of responsibletravel.com, it marks a pronounced increase in consumer confidence:

“There is no doubt that times were tough over the winter, and consumer confidence was severely affected as a result. However, these figures are a sign that holidaymakers’ confidence is definitely improving. While it’s far too early to call an end to what might be a long recession, it’s clear that in recent weeks more people are coming into the summer market looking to book and depart at short notice. Some will be disappointed that they cannot get their first or even second choice holidays as airline capacity has been reduced.”

Those countries topping the list for late bookings are: England, Italy, Morocco, Spain, France, Turkey, Wales, and Greece.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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