Holidaymakers rush to beat tax rises
Travel companies have reported a surge in late bookings as holidaymakers try to beat tax increases.
The Co-operative Travel claimed that bookings for top destinations during September and October were up 39% over the same period last year.
It put the unexpected rise down to the impending hikes in air passenger duty and VAT, which take effect on November 1 and January 4 respectively.
Cost conscious holidaymakers are also being attracted, by some of the lowest prices the sector has ever seen, said a spokesman for The Co-operative Travel, adding that prices are up to 59% below average for the season.
The biggest increases are being seen for Morocco, up 39%, followed by the Canary Islands (up 26%) and Tunisia (up 21%).
Director of retail distribution at The Co-operative Travel Trevor Davis said: “The next few weeks are going to offer the best value for holidaymakers looking to make their budget go further.
“Not only are there great deals available, due to excess stock at the end of a difficult season, but also they will save up to £60 per person by taking a holiday before November 1 when the increase in APD comes into effect.
“We’re seeing evidence that savvy consumers are switching their holiday plans to this autumn as they seek to get best value for money, with the October half term expected to see bookings reach their peak.”
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025