Kuoni reports upturn in bookings for 2021
Confusion around quarantine plans and continued restrictions on travel for this year are prompting more people to rethink their holiday for 2020 and splash out on a big trip next year instead, according to Kuoni.
The operator said that last Saturday, June 6, was its best day for bookings since the lockdown.
It said it has seen a clear upturn in bookings for 2021, almost two-thirds of which are for the Maldives (above).
Kuoni said: "The lure of secluded, long-haul luxury is evident with a clear booking increase over the past seven days, driven by attractive offers for all-inclusive Crusoe-style islands and isolated retreats, particularly for honeymoons and special occasion trips."
CEO Derek Jones added: "Bookings for the Maldives are outperforming every other destination we sell around the world, currently accounting for 56% of bookings for 2021. The Maldives has always been our best seller but it’s soaring even further ahead right now.
"Whilst there is still so much uncertainty around plans to open borders, the 14-day quarantine and social distancing people are telling us that they’d rather plan ahead for next year and save to make the trip an extra special one, upgrading what they’d normally do.
"It’s clear from the conversations we’re having with customers and booking patterns that many people will opt to stay closer to home within the UK this year as they see overseas travel in the near future as being too risky."
Together with the Maldives, Mauritius, Thailand, Spain and India made up Kuoni’s top five best sellers last week.
"We are seeing much more variety in bookings as the weeks go on – other destinations we’ve booked over the past week, for travel next year include Tanzania, Barbados, St Lucia, Dubai, Borneo, Bali and Kenya," added Jones.
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
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