WEAK millennium bookings are being blamed for an expected 10% slump in winter holiday bookings this season.
The warning follows an admission from both Airtours and Thomson that sales over the new year period have been poor and will hit profits.
Figures from data analyst ACNeilsen show the number of passengers booked for winter 1999/2000 by the end of October was just over 1.6m, down 7% on the same period last winter. Value of holidays booked was down 2% to £984m.
Projected across the season, the figures indicate a 10% drop in passengers by the end of the season and a 3% fall in revenue.
Thomas Cook agreed with Cosmos’ view that the millennium had created a lot of uncertainty, but added that poor snow early last winter has created a late skiing market.
The multiple said its bookings are 5% down and are not expecting to improve ahead of the new year.
Thomas Cook has been offering up to 10% off selected holidays, with free insurance, until early November.