Agents have reported stronger demand for travel during October half-term this year, with forward bookings also holding up well.
Advantage Travel Partnership said half-term sales were up 8% year on year, Not Just Travel reported a ‘surge’ in bookings and The Travel Network Group (TTNG) described demand as ‘healthy’.
Advantage said 15% of customers had confirmed bookings for half-term – which starts next Monday for most schools in England and Wales – within the past 30 days. A further 35% were made just two months in advance, while a third booked six months ahead.
CEO Julia Lo Bue-Said said October is becoming increasingly popular as travellers realise ‘you get the sunshine without the scorching heat, long queues or busy beaches.’
She added: “There’s also something really special about grabbing some final rays of sunshine before winter sets in, and a break in October gives people the best of both worlds: warm days, quieter beaches and a more relaxed pace than the summer rush.”
Not Just Travel co-founder Steve Witt also reported growth in very last-minute sales, but he said customers are also booking well in advance.
“We’re seeing two very different booking patterns at the same time. Around 10% of bookings being made right now are for ultra-last-minute, and that includes a surge in half-term departures and winter sun,” he said. “Alongside that, customers are planning a long way ahead, with about 35% of current bookings for winter 2026/27 and 40% already for summer 2027.
“Overall, bookings are up 16% on the same period last year. That’s impressive and shows consumer confidence in travel consultants remains high.”
TTNG Group Commercial Director Katharina Peck said half-term had performed well, with families accounting for 40% of sales. However, she said customers booking for winter 2026/27 and summer 2027 was the ‘bigger trend’.
Katharina said winter 2026/27 now accounts for a third of all bookings, with summer 2027 growing to a ‘similar level and continuing to strengthen’. She added: “Overall, customers remain value-conscious but continue to prioritise holidays, with demand spread across autumn departures, winter sun and forward-booking opportunities for 2027.”
Spain and the US ranked among the most popular half-term destinations across the three consortia, with Not Just Travel also seeing rising demand for Egypt.
The Wanderlust Club agent Poonam Jagatia, based in Coventry, also reported strong interest in Egypt, saying the ‘hit-and-miss weather’ in the Canaries had led to ‘quite a few last-minute bookings’ from families for seven-night all-inclusive trips.
It echoes comments from easyJet holidays CEO Garry Wilson, who predicated at last week’s ABTA Convention in Madeira that North Africa will grow in popularity thanks to its value for money.
ABTA’s latest Holiday Habits report, which surveyed 2,000 British travellers, found Egypt’s share of travellers rose from 2% to 3% between August 2025 and July 2026. ABTA put the increase down to ‘good deals and good availability’.
