The Advantage Travel Partnership has reported increased sales for the October half-term period, with a “busy” getaway for beach holidays and city breaks.
The consortium said bookings for October 14-29 – the period covering different half-term holidays around the country – are 16% up when compared to the same period last year.
Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage, said: “The appetite for travel remains incredibly strong this year and the upcoming October half term is set to be another busy period, with many heading off in search of sunshine or booking a European city break.
“Despite the pressures of the cost-of-living, people are continuing to prioritise holidays above other expenses and across our travel agent partners we are seeing bookings up 16% compared to 2022 levels.”
She said the Canary Islands are the most popular hot spot for half term, with 15% of all bookings.
“Tenerife is proving the most popular island followed by Lanzarote. Mainland Spain has also seen high numbers of bookings and we are seeing late bookings for Greece and Cyprus,” commented Lo Bue-Said.
The consortium’s agents are also seeing “strong demand” for city breaks which account for 11% of bookings. Rome is the biggest seller, followed by Krakow in Poland.
“Budget continues to be an important factor when booking a holiday and this is reflected by the continued popularity of all-inclusive, which is the most popular board basis at 32% of all bookings during October half-term and increases to 36% for all 2024 bookings,” continued Lo Bue-Said.
“As we look further ahead, our booking data is showing travellers are opting for long-haul getaways or city breaks as well as the ever-popular Canary Islands during the forthcoming winter months.
“Long-haul trips are accounting for 20% of all 2024 departures so far, with 62% of those departing during the winter, and the top long-haul destinations are the US, Caribbean and Maldives.
“Meanwhile, city breaks are up to an 11% share of all 2024 bookings, with 81% of those trips within the winter months.
“Rome remains one of the most popular cities alongside Reykjavik, Pragu, and New York as travellers look to experience a wide range of cultures.
“This is contrasted when we look at summer 2024 as early bookings are already showing demand for traditional warm weather breaks with Greece, Turkey and the Canary Islands as the most popular destinations.”
Picture of Tenerife by Balate Dorin/Shutterstock.com