Newmarket Holidays has released 2024 dates for many long-haul tours in response to rising demand and awareness of the need to book early due to the cost-of-living crisis.
The operator said the dates has been published earlier than usual to take advantage of bookings and enquiries coming in earlier as more countries relaxed their travel restrictions.
Head of trade sales Richard Forde said demand for 2024 had been “unexpectedly strong from the start of the year” with a 10-fold increase on 2019.
He said: “From the start of the year, demand for the 2024 season increased 10-fold compared with 2019. We have released dates for 2024 earlier than usual because of this and we are adding on more departures as our tours sell out.
“We believe customers have been saving up for and planning their trips during the pandemic, and they now want to spend money on wish-list, once-in-a-lifetime trips as soon as possible.
“Agents have been chomping at the bit to secure 2024 holidays for their customers – especially on our safari programme, Borneo, Costa Rica and the South American tours.”
With the cost of living crisis likely to impact forward demand, Forde believes the message is getting through to customers that prices will rise and the importance of booking early.
He said: “With prices rising generally, customers are aware that if they want to secure their preferred destination and date at the best price, then now is the time to book.
“Agents are really helping us get that message across and our customers are reacting, securing both their long haul and short haul travel plans.”
Many of the dates are for tours to the US and Africa, including On Safari in South Africa; Elvis Presley’s Memphis; New Orleans & Nashville; and The Canadian Rockies.
Newmarket Holidays is currently running its ‘Reconnect. Reimagine. Rediscover’ campaign with savings of up to 10% for August to October 2022 tours booked by June 5.