Despite the rising cost of fuel, food and energy, travel remains a priority for Brits. The Advantage Travel Partnership, Britain’s largest consortium of independent travel agents, has reported that bookings are up 5% across the partnership for October half-term compared with 2019.

The latest figures released by Advantage also show that revenue levels are up 16% with an average booking value of £2,900.

The cost-of-living crisis has failed to dent the enthusiasm for foreign holidays with data from the partnership showing leading destinations this autumn are Tenerife, Lanzarote, Alicante, Antalya and Dalaman. Advantage travel agent partners are seeing demand across a range of mid-haul and long-haul destinations and flight only bookings are also trading up when compared with 2019.

Two years of travel restrictions resulted in most people going without a holiday. But following the removal of several Covid related restrictions Cruise is selling especially well with families this year and there are still some pockets of availability over the next few weeks.

Advantage travel agent partners reporting high demand for October half-term bookings advise that if customers are ready to be flexible with their travel for this Autumn break, then there are still some great value deals available.

Member of the Advantage Travel Partnership Tony Mann, Managing Director of Idle Travel, said:

‘We’re seeing a lot of customers booking for October half term, it’s been in demand for quite some time. We are still seeing bookings/ enquiries coming in, but truth be told, customers may have to be flexible with their travel this year to make the most of the offers. If you’re ready to be flexible with your budget, where your flying from and how long you’re going for, there’s still some deals to be had. There’s even the odd free child place on selected routes.” 

Kelly Cookes, Chief Commercial Officer of The Advantage Travel Partnership, said: “Feedback from our package operator partners is that half term is extremely well sold but there are pockets of availability left.

“Overall feedback from both supplier partners and Advantage Holidays is demand is now moving into next year, so the advice to agents and customers would be to start focusing on February half term and Easter as they are also starting to fill up. We would always recommend booking early so customers should also start thinking about their Summer 2023 holiday, as there’s more availability in terms of destination, duration and hotels as well as better deals and low deposits.

“Performance so far has been strong and despite the negative news cycle surrounding the cost-of-living crisis, the demand from customers is still there. Volumes are now slowing down, but that is more due to availability than a reluctance to go on holiday.

“To get the best value for money next summer, we would always recommend booking early with a local travel agent, as there’s more availability in terms of destination, duration and hotels as well as better deals and low deposits.”

Half term breaks exclusively available through an Advantage travel agent partner include:

Breaks to 4 star Hotel Santa Rosa, Lloret de Mar in Spain staying half board for 7 nights:

• Departing from Manchester on 24 October with cabin bags and transfers included start from £1471
• Departing from Manchester 20 October, priority boarding and transfers included from  £1110
• Departing from Birmingham 24 October, cabin bags and transfers included from £1429
• Departing from Stansted 24 October, cabin bags and transfers included from £1537

Prices based on 2 adults and 1 child sharing a room. Offer subject to availability and terms and conditions apply.

Breaks to 3 star Topaz Hotel in Malta staying 6 nights Bed & Breakfast:

• Departing from Manchester on 25 October including hold luggage and transfers from £2014
• Departing from Gatwick on 25 October including hold luggage and transfers from £1916

Prices based on 2 adults and 1 child sharing a room. Offer subject to availability and terms and conditions apply.

Breaks to the 3 star Aparthotel Alcudia Beach in Majorca staying 5 nights on a room only basis.  

• Departing from Manchester on 25 October including cabin bags and transfers from £1392
• Departing from Gatwick on 25 October including hold luggage and transfers from £1901
• Departing From Glasgow 23 October including hold luggage and transfers from £1418

Prices based on 2 adults and 1 child sharing a room. Offer subject to availability and terms and conditions apply.

Breaks to 3 star Colina do Mar in the Algarve, Portugal staying 5 nights Bed and Breakfast   

• Departing from Manchester 23 October including cabin bags and transfers from £1500
• Departing from Edinburgh 23 October including priority boarding, 2 cabin bags and transfers from £888
• Departing from Bristol 23 October including hold luggage and transfers from £1248
• Departing from Gatwick 23 October including hold luggage and transfers from £1949

Prices based on 2 adults and 1 child sharing a room. Offer subject to availability and terms and conditions apply.

Breaks to the 4 star Holiday Inn Downtown in Dubai staying 5 nights on a room only basis.  

• Departing from Manchester 23 October including hold luggage and transfers from £3946
• Departing from Gatwick 23 October including hold luggage and transfers from £3942