Family bookings bounce back
The family market is picking up as consumers become more confident about the economy.
Miles Morgan Travel managing director Miles Morgan said: "The family market had been particularly decimated, but it is starting to slowly come back as confidence builds.
"That’s the area that has most been hit by the economic downturn. But people are less worried than they were about losing their job, so are committing to a holiday.
"In general, things are turning the corner. The market was positive in January and that has got to be seen as good. Confidence is slowly returning."
Low Cost Travel Group sales and marketing director Paul Riches said: "Families have had a tough couple of years with the economic situation. We are seeing more family bookings compared with last year, primarily to all-inclusive hotels. This is in line with general growth."
Chris Photi, head of travel and leisure at industry accountancy firm White Hart Associates, said his client base has seen a buoyant start to 2014.
"There is a feel good factor returning," he said.
"Clearly in an economic downturn a family holiday is a discretionary spend so is easily effected by tight economic conditions.
"However many people who are not feeling the economic squeeze often travel less because of the way it is perceived by their less ‘well off" peers and also as a reaction to the common ‘gloom and doom’ outlook constantly featured in the media and social chat when times are hard.
"In my opinion it is the latter group more than most who are now spending and holiday planning.
"Bookings are strong also because of the appalling weather!"
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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