Many travel agents are reporting a busy end to summer trading, after a slow start earlier in the year.
One agent told Travel Gossip she was ‘struggling to keep up’ after bookings went ‘mad’, while another said ‘the past three weeks have gone absolutely bonkers’.
Your Holiday Booking agent Sabine Knowles said: “For me, summer has definitely brought lots of last minute family holiday bookings, with Greece and Turkey being particularly popular.
“This is the first week where im a little quieter, I suspect that’s with kids going back to school next week so parents are busy getting organised for that.
“At the same time, I’ve been really surprised by the amount of long haul interest, including three Ocean Florida bookings within just a couple of months, as well as a lovely Thailand itinerary with Kuoni for a special anniversary and more. Many are looking ahead for 2027 and beyond, wanting flexibility to spread cost and plan ahead.
“I’ve also had some more unusual enquiries coming through, including a golf holiday to Portugal that the customers are currently away for enjoying, and generally I’m seeing more demand for special interest and bucket list type trips or special occasions celebrations. It feels like customers are increasingly looking for something a bit more tailored or memorable rather than simply a standard beach holiday, which has been really lovely to see.”
Not Just Travel Personal Travel Consultant Zoe Harmer said: “January and May were rubbish but July and August have been my best ever.” She said sales are up £94,000 year-on-year.
One London-based homeworker said: “May was dead, the last month it’s been crazy,” while Not Just Travel agent Angie Davis said: “My May, June, July was my best-ever, and even August is doing well.”
David McKerry, who runs We Do Travel in Dumbarton, near Glasgow, said: “Considering the blip for those few months from March it’s been a great year so far. Most months before and after the Middle East issues have been up on the last year with July being a fantastic month for us.
“August is down, however that’s on the back of a fantastic August last year so I’m not shocked or concerned at that.
“Overall we are over 10% up year-to-date.”
And Laura Featonby, who runs Laura’s Travel in Greater Manchester, said: “It’s been great after feeling very stressed in March, which was just awful. August has been like a mini peaks in terms of volume but not in bookings. It’s not a bad result and there is still a week to go. At present, I am trading above the previous year.”
However, some agents, including agent Sara Spillard, said the heat wave in the UK affected business.
“It’s been a quiet summer for me,” she said. “Being in the South West, we have the beaches and resorts, and this year the weather, so many have stayed at home and enjoyed it.”
Luxury agent Sarah White said: “I have had a much quieter summer than I expected, especially after the [Middle East} war when everyone was thinking there would be a rush on lates, but what I have had come through has had much bigger budgets generally.
“I am getting a lot of longer out bookings for 2027/28 and even one enquiry for 2029. I think with a lovely summer people have taken a considered approach to travel, given themselves more time to plan and afford a bit more by booking early.”
