22 August 2008

More over-55s 'booking at last minute'

Higher numbers of older travellers are leaving booking until the last minute, according to over-55s operator Grand UK Holidays.

An increasing proportion of Grand UK HolidaysÃ¢â¬â¢ tours are being booked within 12 weeks of departure, says the over-55s specialist operator.

Sales figures show that more than 60% of bookings taken during the period July 28-August 7 were for travel in the coming 12 weeks; and 13% were for travel in August.

However, there are still many people planning ahead - bookings for Christmas breaks have been coming in since a winter brochure was published in May, and are up nine per cent year-on-year, the company said.

Sales are also coming through for the 2010 Oberammergau Passion Play, which takes place every 10 years.

The operatorÃ¢â¬â¢s sales director Harold Burke said: Ã¢â¬ÅâœWe have been seeing this trend become more pronounced over recent years, especially with customers who are new to Grand UK and appear to weigh up various options about their budgets, the weather and what is available before booking a holiday.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœIt reflects what is being seen across the industry, as more people increasingly book holidays on the spur of the moment and often these are additional to their main holidays.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœWe do still have the majority of our customers booking at least six or more months in advance as they like to ensure that they get the accommodation, dates and coach seats that they want, especially for special events such as Christmas Ã¢â¬' but as our customers are retired, they can book and take holidays on a whim if they desire.Ã¢â¬~

by Phil Davies