Data published by the Personal Travel Consultants in partnership with Blue Bay Travel (PTCs) shows that bookings soared 30% in April and May compared to the previous two months – a sign that holidaymakers are waiting to have enough money available before committing to a holiday.
"We’re not sure whether the bank holidays have played a role in the recent peak in bookings, but we feel confident that the cost of living crisis is causing a surge in the late booking market,” said PTCs sales manager Abbie Heaton.
According to the sales manager, late bookings have also remained strong due to customers looking for last-minute deals as well as to escape the UK’s variable weather.
“With the inclement weather we’ve all experienced during May some travellers may simply have given up on waiting for the UK sun to come out and decided to get away instead,” she added.
“Bookings continue to endure in June despite forecast heatwaves so perhaps the changeable weather of the UK combined with our customers desire to experience new cultures is creating an increased motivation to book."
Despite the ongoing late booking trends, PTCs is also seeing bookings for 2024 and 2025, as people want to capitalise on lower prices.
The research has also shown that travellers are choosing to leave from regional airports, as 40% of bookings made in April and May depart from Birmingham and Manchester. This trend shows that Brits want a more hassle-free airport experience, with shorter wait times and easier parking.
“The trends we became so familiar with pre-pandemic now no longer exist,” Heaton said. “Being able to pivot to changing consumer demand is vital for success and we’re certainly teaching our agents how to leverage these lates.”
