Hoseasons has reported a sharp spike in bookings for both 2021 and this Christmas following announcements on vaccine progress and a relaxation of lockdown rules for the festive period.
The domestic specialist said it had seen year-on-year bookings increase by 40% compared to the same period last year, with sales of last-minute Christmas breaks made after November 23 up 150% on the equivalent period in 2019.
Sales through the trade were also performing strongly, it said, with bookings for both Christmas and next year showing double-digit growth.
Simon Altham, chief commercial officer of Hoseasons’ parent company Awaze UK, said: “With the recent news of an imminent vaccine roll-out, and the easing of restrictions over the Christmas period, bookings have once again surged.
“This has been welcome news for many of our property owners who have been working really hard to provide safe and memorable holidays for millions of customers this year. 2021 is shaping up to be a bumper year for domestic breaks as customers look to once again make the most of holidays at home.”
He added: “For Christmas we know that many families are taking the decision to get away because this festive period won’t be quite the same as normal, with larger family gatherings no longer an option.
“To make it memorable, and to add some festive cheer, we are seeing many couples and small family units choosing breaks away instead. We also know that many homes have also been a place of work over the last nine months, so being somewhere different offers a complete break away.”
Altham said customers were tending to book holidays close to their homes, and urged all clients to respect local communities and regulations “to maintain the freedom to travel safely within the UK as much as possible.”