Late sales build but trade split on UK heatwave impact

Travel agents reported the lates market remained strong this week, with some increased interest in 2027 – and a range of views on the impact of the heatwave.

 

John Sullivan, Advantage Travel Partnership commercial director, said members continued to see growth in June, with sales up 5% on last week.

 

“Warm weather at home can encourage travellers to seek more of the same or conversely escape the heat,” he noted.

 

The Travel Network Group commercial director Katharina Peck said trading had been “slightly softer”, largely because of the weather and sporting events, but “heatwaves typically have only a temporary impact”.

 

Underlying demand remained resilient, particularly across late summer and beyond, she said, adding: “Long-haul demand remains stable, with strong forward interest, particularly into 2027.

 

“We continue to see more than 50% of bookings being made for travel within the next nine weeks.”

 

Paul Waters, Premier Travel managing director, said: “Customer confidence is strengthening, with more enquiries and conversions across short and long-haul.”

 

He noted Greece, Egypt and Turkey saw “significant increases” and said the hot weather had “prompted some last‑minute bookings”.

 

Alistair Rowland, Blue Bay Travel chief executive, predicted a quick bounce-back for Egypt, Turkey, Cyprus and Malta  – destinations which had struggled since the start of the conflict in the Gulf. But he cautioned it was likely to be “value-led” for departures this summer.

 

He said: “It’s been a painful time, not just for us, but for the industry, but we are now coming out of it.  We are probably all down year on year because of weak trading in March and April and cancelling so many bookings. I think we have to pedal really hard in July, August and September to catch up, but I think we will catch up.”

 

He expects a busy July and August for the trade and a potential “price bloodbath” for August and September departures as tour operators compete to fill remaining eastern Mediterranean capacity.

 

Emma Collis, managing director at Protected Trust Services, said trading remained “steady”, with some members noting more customers looking for winter 2026 and spring 2027.

 

Inspire Group is seeing its “strongest-ever season” for late bookings. “The impact of the World Cup has been more muted than anticipated, and demand for late bookings has surged,” said chief executive Lisa Henning.

 

Dawson & Sanderson commercial and corporate director Judith Alderson said: “Summer 2026 short-haul business continues to be popular as families take advantage of free child places. We’ve also seen a good uplift for 2027 short-haul.”

 

Tracy Clenshaw, Fred Olsen Travel head of commercial, said retail had “a very strong week”, buoyed by its 2027 cruise programme launch plus lates growth.

 

“A key highlight was Asia returning to our top three trading destinations,” she said.

 

Ian Gilder, Adore Holidays managing director, saw a “noticeable uptick” in bookings although the heatwave may be affecting sales.

 

Abbie Heaton, Personal Travel Consultants at Blue Bay Travel group manager, was also optimistic about sales but said bookings may slow because of the heatwave.

 

But Gary King, head of trade sales, Wendy Wu Tours, said the heatwave had created a “feel-good factor”, noting: “When the sun comes out, people naturally start thinking about their next adventure, and we’re seeing plenty of interest from customers looking ahead to both late 2026 and 2027 travel.”

 

Following the Middle East peace deal, Kuoni reported a boost in consumer confidence with a mix of late bookings for Europe across the summer as well as long-haul demand for November and December, and bookings across all destinations for 2027.

 

Managing director Mark Duguid said: “While these booking patterns are typical for this time of year, it’s the boost in consumer confidence that is encouraging.

 

“The appetite for long-haul travel has always been there, particularly for destinations like the Maldives and Thailand, and we’re optimistic that this will translate into further growth in bookings in the weeks ahead.”