Elegant Resorts: last minute bookings, long haul trips on the rise
Luxury operator Elegant Resorts says it is witnessing a significant shift in travellers’ habits.
It has seen a surge in last-minute bookings and September departures, as well as an increase in long-haul holidays.
The top five destinations for 2025 to date are Barbados, the Maldives, Greece, Spain and Antigua.
Elegant Resorts is seeing a shift in booking patterns, with people looking to go away outside of the school holiday period.
Travellers who benefit from this flexibility are more able to escape heatwaves, crowds and price hikes.
Elegant Resorts clients are more mindful of how they are spending their money. Due to this, the tour operator is increasingly seeing them explore long-haul alternatives for summer when desired European options aren’t available.
Destinations like Dubai and the Caribbean, for instance, have seen a rise in summer interest.
While clients are indeed cost-conscious, Elegant Resorts has observed an increase in average booking value this year, rising to £23,000 from £19,500 last year.
Late enquiries made in June were for Europe holidays, with 15% of these departing in June, 40% in July and August, and 20% in September.
However, Elegant Resorts is reporting an 18% increase on booking numbers for 2026 versus this time last year for 2025 departures.
Multi-generational and group bookings represent more than a quarter of Elegant Resorts’ sales so far this summer – rising to 26% from 19% last year.
Villa enquiries have increased by 60%, with half of them for to the Caribbean and 30% to Europe.
As travellers place more importance on cultural immersion and personalisation, long-haul holidays have increased by 68% year-on-year.
Previous research conducted by the operator suggests that motivations driving this trend include food, soft adventure and wellness.
Destinations like Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Kenya and Australia are selling particularly well, all up over 200% compared to this time last year and Morocco is up 77%.
Thailand, Vietnam and Japan still command a strong appeal, whilst island hopping in French Polynesia – combining Bora Bora, Moorea and Tetiaroa – is also proving popular.
Elegant Resorts’ Managing Director, Gordon McCreadie, said: “Booking patterns have been evolving over the past few years but we are seeing quite a shift for 2025. People are swapping the traditional European summer for longer haul destinations”.
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Learn more about : Elegant Resorts ( United Kingdom )
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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