09 February 2010

Cold snap triggers foreign holiday sales

The Co-operative Travel is claiming a "dramatic" rise in sales of summer sun holidays since the recent cold spell.

The company recorded a 20% increase in online revenue as people stayed at home and booked in the internet.

Subsequent sales through high street branches have risen, with bookings increasing by up 20% in the seven days following Britain’s coldest spell in 13 years on the week commencing January 11.

During the same period enquiries across agency branches rose by 20%, culminating in the group’s busiest ever day on January 16.

Top summer destinations are Turkey and Egypt, which have seen a 30% and 12% rise in bookings respectively year on year.

Retail distribution director Trevor Davis said: "Bookings were slow at the turn of the year as holidaymakers stayed at home, but as soon as the snow and ice disappeared we saw a huge influx of shoppers.

"Last summer’s miserable weather, coupled with the extremely cold start to the year, has seen more and more people look for some guaranteed summer sun in 2010, and the predicted cold weather will drive sales further.

"Family bookings to Florida this summer are also booming fuelled by great prices, free child places and the soon to open Harry Potter World at Universal Theme Parks in Orlando."

Davis added: "Turkey and Egypt are popular as they are outside of the eurozone and therefore better value for money.

"Both also offer a wide range of all-inclusive breaks, which have become enormously popular as holidaymakers look to make their budgets go further."

by Phil Davies