Travel agencies hail strong week of trading as late demand intensifies

Travel agencies have reported strong trading in the last week as demand for last-minute trips grows, with Barrhead Travel hailing its best year-on-year growth since the Middle East conflict began.

 

Advantage Travel Partnership revealed bookings and revenue last week were both 19% up on the week before, while the year-on-year figures showed growth of 3% and 5% respectively.

Commercial director John Sullivan said: “The general feeling is that the market is moving in a better direction, with more positive consumer sentiment.”

 

He added: “Members are reporting good levels of interest in late deals for June and into the early part of July. August is slightly slower than we would normally expect at this stage, but demand for 2027 is strong.”

 

More: Consumer confidence rallies but booking windows shrink

 

Barrhead Travel said last week delivered its strongest year-on-year performance since the start of March.

 

Nicki Tempest-Mitchell, the agency’s managing director, said: “We’ve seen a stronger week for bookings and passengers with growth on the same time last year, representing our strongest year-on-year growth since the start of the recent situation in the Middle East.

 

“In particular, we’ve seen a notable increase in last-minute bookings, with departures for June up 21% and July up 13% year on year. This suggests many travellers are feeling confident about securing summer getaways closer to departure.”

 

Destinations showing particularly strong growth were Turkey, Croatia, Italy, Barbados and Tunisia, she added.

 

The Travel Network Group commercial director Katharina Peck agreed the market has been showing “positive momentum”, adding consumers are increasingly demonstrating higher confidence and greater willingness to spend. The latter is particularly true for high-value and experiential travel, she said.

 

Peck described trading over the last week as “very encouraging”, noting bookings, passengers and revenue rose by between 15-20% week on week. Average booking values rose by 13% week on week.

 

Peck added: “Year on year, while volumes remain slightly behind peak levels, revenue performance continues to outperform, underlining improved booking quality and mix.”

 

The greatest demand is for summer 2026, which holds a 68% share, she said, with nearly half of all departures falling within the next nine weeks.

 

“Availability overall remains good, especially in the lates market, and while pricing is competitive, we’re continuing to see strong supplier support and promotional activity helping to sustain demand,” she said.

 

Spain, Greece and Turkey remain the top-performing destinations.

 

Protected Trust Services managing director Emma Collis said bookings in the week from June 1-7 were 17.8% up on the same week last year.

 

“Late couple and group bookings are proving extremely popular right now, helped by some fantastic deals from operators,” she said. 

 

The family market remains more of a challenge, she added, with clients taking longer to commit and shopping around more.

 

“Summer 2026 family holidays are probably the quietest area at the moment, with many families still holding off from booking,” said Collis.

 

“That said, the conversations members are having are still positive. Lots of clients are saying they are still definitely planning to travel this summer; they just haven’t booked yet.”

 

InteleTravel reported UK bookings in the last week rose by 25% year on year, with late trips dominating demand.

 

“This momentum is being heavily driven by some targeted operator campaigns across both sectors, with attractive pricing and compelling value add-ons such as free child places capturing the consumer’s attention,” said chief commercial officer Kelly Cookes.

 

“Despite the high volume of late bookings, availability hasn’t become a significant challenge just yet, meaning there are still plenty of excellent options for consumers looking to get away over the coming weeks.”

 

Cruise bookings outperformed land last week, she added.