Advantage has seen a 9% rise in short-haul and city-break bookings this month compared to February 2025, along with a rise in long-haul sales for Easter and a big leap in demand for cruises.
In a trading update issued this morning (13 February), it said the increase in travel in February could be due to Valentine’s Day falling on a weekend, as well as being at the start of the February half-term.
Budapest, Malta and Gozo are all growing in popularity, it said, while the Canaries and Balearics, along with Krakow and Rome, are also proving ‘strong choices’.
Advantage has also experienced rising demand for warmer mid-haul destinations, including the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.
For Easter, sales to long-haul destinations, including the US and the Caribbean, are up 20% year on year, while Türkiye and Egypt are also performing ‘strongly’, it said.
Advantage has seen double-digit growth in cruise sales on the back of an increase in marketing material for members. “This paired with members’ competitive pricing during school-holiday periods,” it added.
“While value for money destinations have been a priority for consumers over the last few years, and probably will continue to be, it is interesting to see destinations such as Reykjavik and Copenhagen, typically less-affordable, city-break options, are becoming increasingly popular for travellers,” said Advantage CEO Julia Lo Bue-Said.
However, she warned of the possibility of airport delays due to the roll-out of the EU’s new Entry/Exit System, particularly in France, Greece, Bulgaria and Denmark.
“Airports in Geneva and Lisbon have suspended these checks [on arriving passengers, introduced as part of EES] to avoid extreme delays for travellers and other European destinations may follow suit. With multiple flights arriving in a destination during peak times, such as February and Easter breaks, we predict there will be queues at many European airports, therefore do urge travellers to be prepared, leaving plenty of time to check-in and for those travelling with small children, ensuring they have plenty of refreshments and activities to keep them occupied,” added Julia.
