Travel Counsellors has reported its strongest trading week since March along with the lowest number of cancellations, as it said it was “optimistic about overseas travel”.
The company said a third of new bookings in the week commencing August 16 were for late summer 2021, with a further third for this winter and the remainder for summer 2022.
Top destinations for this summer were Spain, Greece and the UK, while the US, Spain and the Maldives were the most popular for the winter.
Top sellers for summer 2022 were Greece, Spain and the US, with cruise also selling well and a growing demand for long-haul destinations including the UAE.
The agency said forward bookings were four times higher at this point in the year than in a pre-pandemic year.
Kirsten Hughes, UK managing director, said: “Despite the complexity around overseas travel that still exists, we are truly enjoying seeing so many more customers going abroad, making the most of their well-deserved break and sharing their experiences with friends, family and on social media.
“We are also seeing a much earlier demand for key holiday periods for winter 21/22 and summer 2022, when families and loved ones can travel together.”
She added: “Moving forward, we would like to see the government lobby for other destinations, such as the USA, opening up under reciprocal agreements for British travellers, who enjoy going further afield for their winter breaks and for business travel.
“We would also like the government to consider giving at least two weeks’ notice, rather than just days, when moving countries to the amber or red lists – not only would this allow customers to finish their well-deserved holidays, but it would further increase consumer confidence, which is much needed in the travel industry right now.”