16 July 2008

Rain and cash caution prompt lastminute bookings in the UK

Inclement weather and budgetary awareness are driving Brits to book holidays at the eleventh hour, according to online travel agent Lastminute.com.

The website says the rise in costs and the credit crunch has prompted Brits to wait and see if they could really afford a holiday but now the classic British summer has shown its colours they are booking in droves.

The site reports an increase in its week-on-week trading with traffic of unique visitors searching holidays up 23% over the last week, as the weather declined. Most searched departure dates were July 19 and 26 and August 2.

It says that European destinations are suffering as Brits look to make their pound stretch further and avoid the costly euro with Turkey and Egypt performing particularly well Ã¢â¬' both up 14% year-on-year. Bookings to Tunisia are up 95% and Croatia an impressive 150%.

Those looking to stay in the UK on holiday are showing signs of taking a couple of shorter breaks rather than one two-week long holiday. Lastminute says coastal areas are doing a roaring trade, with bookings to Brighton hotels up 70% year on year, Bournemouth 20% and Eastbourne 66%. It also reports stronger sales for UK theme parks, attractions, theatre and concert tickets. Breaks including these have gone up 18% year-on-year.

Lastminute.com managing director John Bevan said: Ã¢â¬ÅâœThis summer our customers are going where their pound will take them further and where good bargains are to be had."

"We are seeing a strong interest in destinations outside the Euro, whether these are short or long haul."

"We are also noticing that Britons are trying to find ways to cut corners by spreading short breaks throughout the summer as well as throughout the year but also by finding cheaper ways to have a good time at home or abroad.Ã¢â¬~

A report by Dinah Hatch