Grand UK claims winter bookings surge
Grand UK Holidays has claimed a 16% rise in winter bookings, with Christmas sales up by 23%.
The over-55s specialist coach tours operator is repeating a ‘festive combo’ which means customers in selected hotels over Christmas and New Year get three nights’ half-board accommodation for £10 per night.
But sales director Harold Burke said the operator would not be resorting to discounting despite rivals cutting prices by as much as half.
He said: “We don’t discount so agents know their customers can book well in advance to secure the holiday they want without being disadvantaged by late booking discounts -which only tend to make them apprehensive about booking early again in the future.
“We have been seeing some huge discounts lately – as much as 50% – from this market sector, which sadly just sends out the wrong message to loyal customers.
“It’s not good news for the coach holidays sector as a whole as it affects customers’ future expectations and booking patterns.â€
He added: “Our lead-in prices are in many cases the same as last year – Christmas markets on the continent from £269, for example – or even cheaper, with Christmas breaks from £279.
“We were also very pleased to see so many agents using our new bookable website – indeed, the first online trade booking that came to us was a Christmas holiday.â€
The Norwich-based group, which carries more than 90,000 travellers a year, had more than 80 coaches operating over the last Christmas period and expects to handle more passengers this winter.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season