THE grim summer weather of 2007 could be bringing an unlikely bonus to hard-pressed tour operators – by boosting early bookings for short haul holidays in summer 2008.
According to online tour operator XL.com, a growing number of holidaymakers are disenchanted enough by the weather to book holidays up to 15 months in advance to cash in on discounts topping 50% in some destinations. XL.com says some of its seven night packages priced at £400 have been sold for just £189.
Most popular destinations for July 2008, says XL.com, are Majorca, Sharm el Sheikh, Tenerife, Rhodes and Turkey – with Benidorm, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria not far behind. Demand is also strong for one-way flights to Alicante, Faro and Malaga.
In the Manchester and Glasgow areas, the company claims bookings are up 200% against this time last year.
Says XL.com general manager Neil Mott: “By signing up to our email newsletter, customers get advance notice of offers and incentives such as free child places and free hotel upgrades, encouraging them to book sooner rather than later.”
At Essex-based Spear Travels sells holiday packages nationwide. Director of retail sales Richard Knight says: “People have realised that operators have been cutting back the supply of packages to keep prices firmer, and they recognise that early bookings can lock in very cheap prices.
“Despite all reports about the death of package holidays, many families with young children like to think everything is sorted when they book with an agent. The 2008 market looks strong.”
