22 September 2008

Travellers booking UK autumn breaks to escape Ã¢â¬Ëœdoom and gloomÃ¢â¬â¢

Sales of UK autumn breaks are up by a quarter as people seek to escape from Ã¢â¬Ëœdoom and gloomÃ¢â¬â¢.

The claim came from leading self-carting operator Hoseasons which has seen a 42% rise in hits to its website in the first two weeks of September, translating into a 25% increase in bookings.

A similar level of sales has been recorded through the operatorÃ¢â¬â¢s call centre.

The company attributed the rise in interest in autumn domestic breaks down to turmoil in the European package holiday sector with the collapse of XL Leisure Group and improving weather this month.

Business development director Pali Badwal said: Ã¢â¬ÅâœWith all the bad news there has been in the last two weeks, you might have expected a degree of caution and a slow-down in both enquiries and bookings. But in fact we have seen the opposite.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœWhat this shows is that there is still an appetite to get away, perhaps to escape that very doom and gloom.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœBut customers are looking for value for money and security Ã¢â¬' in uncertain times, and with report after report of failing holiday companies, they are staying closer to home and seeking out breaks which are affordable.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœAfter a mediocre summer in terms of weather, the UK is finally enjoying some sunshine, and that is also boosting bookings for domestic holidays.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœWe believe that some people have waited until after the peak school holiday period to get lower prices, and we are seeing a lot of bookings for holidays starting in the next month Ã¢â¬' the continuation of a trend we have seen throughout 2008.Ã¢â¬~

by Phil Davies