Dobson on Tuesday (2 April) revealed the Scottish independent’s passenger numbers jumped by 20% over the Easter weekend compared with the same period last year. 

Demand for the final weeks of the winter season remains high across Barrhead’s retail network with around 10% of new bookings made during the past week being for April departures. 

Booking patterns show customers – particularly families – have been taking advantage of an early Easter to go away for longer early in the spring.

All-inclusive beach breaks and cruise bookings, including sailings from Southampton and Miami, are among the most popular types of holidays.

Dobson said: “Easter is one of the first opportunities of the year for families to enjoy some quality time together. 

“There’s been a clear shift in the last few years when it comes to spring getaways. We used to see more long weekends or domestic breaks for families during Easter, but now it’s evolved into a key date in the annual holiday calendar."

Dobson added the value available to clients during the “latter half of the holidays” had driven last-minute demand.

She also confirmed that while summer 2024 continued to be the most popular booking season, Barrhead was gearing up for "another flurry of late bookings for the upcoming May bank holidays".

Barrhead’s Brilliant Travel division, which includes its Managed Service Travel Partners and homeworkers, also reported 20% of March sales being last-minute bookings. 

Top Easter destinations for their clients include favourites such as Tenerife and Lanzarote, with long-haul locations like Dubai and Barbados making the top five. 

Members are also reporting higher sales for cruise this year, citing increased customer demand.