However, hopes of a bumper period for bookings this month have not entirely evaporated, although many are now anticipating a delayed or extended peaks season running into February and March.
Agents from across the UK have called for more clarity from the Westminster government and devolved administrations on travel policy, as well as for sector-specific financial support after bookings largely dried up in December, further depleting cash reserves.
Paul Rice, partner at Off Broadway Travel, told TTG: “Some people have said February and March will be the time for peaks, but it’s really tricky to call it. Our marketing is in place for January, but we don’t want to waste it.
"We don’t know what’s going to happen, so we will have to take it a day at a time. We have plans in the background and are prepared to shift and move them.”
Scott Murray, director of Murray Travel in Scotland, said there had “definitely been a downturn” in bookings during December, which could have an impact on peaks. “We hope that, as we get into the new year, people will say ‘let’s get away in the summer’.
“But we’re prepared for a diluted and extended peaks that could go into February and March. We managed to get customers away before Christmas, mainly to Spain – the current uncertainty is going to affect peaks bookings rather than actual travel.”
Despite the Omicron setback, agents agreed pent-up demand from customers remained strong for 2022 holidays, provided the situation with travel restrictions both in the UK and abroad stabilises.
Sandra Corkin, managing director of Oasis Travel in Northern Ireland, said: “I’m really hoping there’s more clarity because we can’t reassure people about what the government is going to do.
“There’s definitely demand, but I suspect January won’t be anywhere near January 2020, when we had our best month in 37 years. We’ve done quite a lot of quotes, but people won’t commit until they know exactly what’s happening. If we get no bad news, it will be a reasonable month.”
Confidence key
Steve Cartwright, from Cartwright Travel in Cardiff, was less optimistic, and feared January could be a “nothing month” for sales. “It depends how the government reacts after Christmas,” he said. “February and March could be OK. We’re taking lates for January and February; my hope is they actually go.
“The worry is, are they going to depart, and will I earn my commission? If they do, I think as an industry we will have turned a corner. If not, that’s confidence knocked for the foreseeable.”
Despite the uncertainty, the Advantage Travel Partnership was among a number of travel organisations to press ahead with the launch of peaks campaigns. “We’re investing in peaks and encouraging members to do that,” said chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said.
“If we don’t breed confidence, we’re burying ourselves in our own grave. We’re trying to look at it positively and see 2022 as the year for holidays, with families and people travelling again.”
