Only 7% of holidaymakers will give up their summer holiday this year and many will not book in January, according to The Co-operative Travel.
In a survey of 850 of its customers who booked a holiday in January last year, the study found that 89 per cent of respondents had not yet finalised their 2009 break. However, 65 per cent of those respondents say they are still going to take a summer holiday although 28% said they don’t know.
Of those who plan to book a holiday, 31% said they are planning to book in January and February, 57 per cent were expected to make their booking between March and June and the rest later in the year.
The Co-operative Travel head of retail distribution Trevor Davis said: “Like a lot of people in the UK at the moment, many of our customers have concerns over the economy and job security, and this is making it difficult for them to plan holidays in the short term,”
“However, ABTA has reported this week that 37 per cent of holidaymakers view their summer holiday as their most prized annual purchase, and this will be reflected in increases in bookings as the year goes on.
He voiced concerns about holidaymakers booking later. He said: “Many of the larger tour operators have reduced their capacity for 2009 – on top of massive reductions last season – which means there are less holidays available.”