A strong upturn in business throughout the summer has been reported by members of the Coach Tourism Association (CTA).
Coach tour operators and tour wholesalers are also positive about bookings received for the end of year and into 2025.
Coach tour traveller numbers have returned to, and in some cases exceeded, pre-2020 figures, according to feedback from members of the organisation.
European coach tours have been popular this year and are also receiving strong bookings for 2025, as reported by several operators.
A reason for the upturn in business is the eventual return to previous levels of confidence and habits following the extended impact of the pandemic.
Bookings show that new coach tourism products have also been a factor in growth, which is also gradually starting to extend the traditional demographic to a younger audience.
But operators are reporting an increase in late bookings, typically involving a booking within 21 days of departure, making planning with accommodation, attractions, and restaurants more complex.
Alongside the popularity of European trips and tours, the CTA continues to call for equality in the service level provided to coaches for cross-Channel travel, both at ports and in availability with Eurotunnel.
CTA-member operators also await the introduction of the Etias visa waiver scheme, scheduled for introduction in the first half of 2025.
CTA chair Robert Shaw said: “There are challenges including price inflation, some hold-ups in cross-Channel services, as well as the gap in driver recruitment.
“However, on average, CTA members are seeing that consumer demand is high. The resilience of the traveller is strong and consumers are prioritising travel.
“It’s also noteworthy that demand is coming from new trips and tours available. Partnership between CTA’s operator/wholesaler members and supplier members is vital to develop new product in answer to consumer demand.”
Claire Smith, finance manager at coach tour operator Eastons Holidays, said: “The UK market has significantly improved over the last two years, and we are certainly back to pre-pandemic levels of departures.”