Brexit doesn’t dampen holiday bookings
Agents say it’s been business as usual, and in many cases even better than usual, since the Brexit vote.
Owner Andrew Earle said the day before the in-out referendum was ‘our worst day last week’ but after the result was announced, bookings picked up significantly.
"We traded well on Friday and Saturday with above average spend helping us to good totals," he said.
"Most bookings we are taking continue to have a long lead time with summer 2017 long haul bookings being the most popular."
Steph Saunders, senior consultant at Solent World Travel, agreed. "It was manic on Friday – busiest day all week with bookings," she posted on the travel industry Facebook forum Travel Gossip.
Linda Young said she thought it was going to be quiet on Friday but added: "Omg how wrong was I. It seemed like everyone in our area either rang or came in to book it was a fantastic day. Let’s hope it continues that way."
And Vikki Coe said: "Not one single email, call or anything relating to Brexit or concerns on holidays, and on Sat/Sun my desk has been crazy with a dozen new quotes all for European destinations…happy days!"
David Shepherd, owner at South Elmsall Travel, reported ‘a few daft questions about needing new passports’ but in general ‘ business as usual’.
"A normal Friday and a normal Saturday. Bookings were bang on average," he said.
Debbie Johnson, senior travel advisor at Mid Counties Co-op in Walsall, agreed. "A few panic passport, visa and currency questions on Friday, back to normal Saturday," she reported.
But Claudia Molenaar, who works in a corporate travel agency, said for her it was a ‘different kettle of fish’.
"Very quiet and my clients have been calling me to moan instead of book travel. It effects both of our businesses so I’m moaning along with them!" she said.
Sue Murrie at Morgan Travel Yorkshire was also downbeat. "Not sold one holiday since the result was announced! Let’s hope it’s back to business as usual today!"
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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