“We will always keep close to consumer trends as well as product opportunities and we will adapt if there is something that comes along and has an impact on people’s holiday spend,” Tempest-Mitchell told TTG on Thursday (5 October). 

Her remarks come as, on Wednesday (4 October), she told agents gathered in Majorca for the company’s annual conference that Barrhead had delivered a 26% increase in performance compared to pre-pandemic levels. 

Tempest-Mitchell said that spending per person had gone up by £683, while Barrhead president Jacqueline Dobson told delegates holidays remained “a top priority” for customers as bookings remained high despite the cost of living squeeze.

“People are prioritising their holidays, that’s the most important factor for their mental health and wellbeing,” Tempest-Mitchell said.

Bookings have also increased in both the lates and early markets but that wasn’t caused by higher living costs. 

“If we take the summer season, probably 70% of bookings were travelling within a three to four month period,” she explained. “So definitely people are choosing to book late but our early business is still going strong.”

“It’s not about higher bills because people who book late aren’t necessarily getting a better deal.”