Travel Counsellors reports ‘record’ sales month
Travel Counsellors is reporting a ‘record-breaking’ September with sales up 9% internationally and 17% in the UK year-on-year.
The company’s most successful sales day last month was September 16, with global sales of over £2.6 million, the sixth best day for sales in its 22-year history.
Travel Counsellors attributes the sales to an increase in forward bookings for summer 2017.
UK managing director Kirsten Hughes said: "We’ve seen a shift in forward summer bookings this year, with more holidaymakers booking earlier to avoid disappointment and price hikes.
"It was widely reported that capacity and availability was limited this summer due to previously popular destinations like Egypt, Tunisia and Turkey falling off the map, and people don’t want to experience again that next year.
"I think there has also been a return in customer confidence when it comes to travelling and people are no longer willing to put their holiday on hold".
Research by Travel Counsellors shows British holidaymakers continue to travel despite recent global events.
Following initial concerns over the impact of Brexit on travel, 53% of UK consumers surveyed said that nothing has changed post-Brexit in the way they book their holidays, and only 6% stated that they would be less likely to book a holiday.
Research findings also revealed that the threat of terrorism would only make 8% of the British public less likely to book a holiday, with 33% reporting that this doesn’t change anything in the way they book their travel.
However, 32% stated that terror attacks make them more likely to book destinations perceived as ‘safer’, with 21% more likely to book a UK staycation.
Popular destinations booked in September for next summer include USA, Spain, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Canada, Cyprus and the UK.
Top five resorts for summer 2017 are Orlando, Las Vegas, New York, Majorca and Paphos.
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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