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On the Beach predicts January payday to spur sales bonanza

On the Beach expets this January payday weekend to be the travel industry’s best trading period for two years.

The online travel agency (OTA) has forecast a surge in bookings this Sunday (January 30) as many consumers will receive their first pay packet since Christmas.

The January and February peaks period traditionally accounts for a quarter of On the Beach’s annual holiday bookings.

However, the firm expects bookings to “spike dramatically” with consumer confidence rising after the government’s announcement that Covid tests won’t be needed for fully-vaccinated arrivals from February 11.

On the Beach reported rising consumer confidence earlier in January, following the removal of PCR testing requirements and the relaxation of Plan B restrictions.

It said holiday sales have been increasing 150% week-on-week since the start of the year.

Tenerife is the most popular 2022 destination booked during this month by the company, followed by Majorca, Lanzarote, Antalya, in Turkey, and Spain’s Costa Blanca.

Zoe Harris, chief customer officer at On the Beach, said: “[We] look forward to what we expect will be our biggest trading surge in two years, this Jan payday weekend.

“This week’s scrapping of test requirements will also give people the peace of mind they need to book with confidence, and that extra nudge to escape the cold and grey at home.”

Picture by Hyejin Kang/Shutterstock

More: Analysis: On The Beach’s recovery and growth plans

Shape of travel recovery ‘remains uncertain’ – On the Beach

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