Advantage Travel Partnership agents have reported bookings in 2024 are up 6% year on year, with revenue up 10%.
The surge follows a “strong” 2023 and “significant” capacity increases for 2024, said the consortium.
Spain, Greece and Turkey were the best sellers, while long-haul’s share of bookings rose to 12%, up from 11% in 2023.
Tenerife is the number one destination, taking a 6% share of business which is on a par with last year, while other destinations including Turkey and Portugal have driven the overall growth.
The biggest revenue growth has been in cruise, touring and mass market, which now account for 16%, 12% and 10% of bookings respectively.
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Two-fifths (42%) of bookings for summer 2024 were made and departed within 12 weeks, with consumers booking at shorter notice, thanks to last-minute deals, the UK weather and budgeting concerns.
Agents report bookings for October half-term are up 15%, with revenue up 25%, year-on-year.
For Christmas, bookings are up 6% with revenue is up 14% year-on-year.
And departures for 2025 are so far up 10%, with revenue rising by 13%.
Long-haul destinations in the east are back in favour, with more bookings for Thailand, Japan, Vietnam and Australia.
Increases are reported in several sectors, including ultra-all-inclusive, mixing work with leisure, multi-generational travel, cruising, sports and music tourism, lesser-known destinations and shoulder seasons.
Kelly Cookes, Advantage chief commercial officer, said: “Throughout 2024 and as we start to look ahead to 2025, performance across our travel agent partners has been very strong with both bookings and revenue consistently up across the board.
“There is an incredible appetite for travel.
“Bookings remain strong for the upcoming major holiday periods in October and December and we are already seeing people looking ahead to their summer holidays next year to make the most of availability in terms of destination, duration and hotels as well as better deals and low deposits.”
The consortium has also reported a “surge” in new customers across leisure and business travel.
A survey of members found 79% of respondents have seen an increase in new customers across leisure travel, mostly aged between 35-54.
A quarter (27%) of respondents said customers are seeking lesser-known destinations, while 79% reported more requests for travel during the shoulder season, citing cost and weather as drivers.
Almost three quarters (72%) of respondents to the survey reported an increased interest in cruise holidays, while 55% said luxury holidays are more popular.
Sales for rail, solo travel and the adventure and touring sectors are also increasing.
A similarly positive picture was painted across business travel with 69% of respondents who operate as part of Advantage’s Global Business Travel division reporting that they have won more new business this year than last year.
Julia Lo Bue-Said (pictured), Advantage chief executive, said: “Given the increase in new customers our travel agency partners are seeing across leisure and business travel we’re anticipating a really strong year for travel in 2025.”
The survey of Advantage Travel Partnership members was carried out in August and nearly a third of travel agency partners participated.