The unseasonably wet weather in the UK in August triggered a surge in late foreign holiday bookings.
Sun-hat Villas & Resorts reported a higher than average number of reservations for luxury villas in September and October.
Last-minute holidays, booked within the last four weeks with departures in September and October, rose by 50% year-on-year.
Bookings for the two months increased by 37% compared to 2016, and have more than doubled since 2015.
The Algarve is most popular destination booked with the operator.
The firm has also recorded the highest number of bookings so far this year than in any other since its inception in 2001 amid political and social unrest in destinations such as Egypt and Tunisia.
Sun-hat covers more traditional destinations such as the Algarve, Majorca, Menorca, Tuscany, Ibiza, Sicily, Lanzarote and Barbados.
Managing director Peter Jenkins said: “The UK had an average of 320mm of rainfall over the summer, over 30 per cent higher than the annual norm.
“The forecast in the Algarve for the next few weeks is consistent sunshine, with temperatures hovering reliably around 26 degrees.
“We have all felt a little short-changed by the unseasonably wet weather this summer, so it’s little wonder people are looking for some guaranteed sunshine and are booking a last minute getaway overseas.”