The Advantage Travel Partnership has reported strong bookings for February half term* and the upcoming Easter holidays**, with consumers continuing to prioritise travel within their personal budgets over other expenditure despite the cost-of-living crisis.

HALF TERM

Advantage’s travel agent partners have reported bookings for the February half term are up 15 percent and revenue is up 25 percent in comparison to 2023. With many British travellers seeking a sunshine getaway, the Canary Islands are the most popular destination and account for a 15 percent share of all bookings. Tenerife & Lanzarote are the most popular of the Canary Islands, taking 56 percent of all Canaries bookings.

The USA is the second most-popular destination for the February half term with a 9 percent share of bookings. New York is the most popular USA destination, taking over half of the share of USA departures for this date period, Mainland Spain completes the top three destinations, with the Costa Blanca as the most popular Spanish destination.

The Partnership is also seeing a boost for city breaks as they take an 18 percent share of all bookings volume with Prague, Paris & Reykjavik the most popular destinations to visit.

EASTER

The Easter holidays are also seeing strong demand with bookings up 8 percent and revenue up 25 percent compared to 2023. The ever-popular Canary Islands once again lead as the top selling destination, taking a 14 percent share of all booking volume. This is followed by France as Brits head for ski holidays in the mountains, taking advantage of the extended season due to Easter falling earlier this year, as well as opting for Paris city breaks and family holidays to Disneyland Paris.

Long-haul accounts for 26 percent of all departures, with the most popular destinations being USA, Dubai & the Caribbean, and city breaks are taking a 15 percent share of departures with the top choices being Rome, Reykjavik, Paris and New York. Meanwhile, cruise continues to prove popular this year with high booking levels from travellers. The average length of stay being booked is 8.2 nights and All Inclusive is the most popular board basis taking a 38 percent share of all departures.

SKI

Looking at all ski holiday bookings departing in 2024, France is proving particularly popular, accounting for nearly half of all departures. The next most popular destinations for UK skiers are Italy and Bulgaria. The average length of stay is 7.7 nights, with half board the most popular board basis.

Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of The Advantage Travel Partnership said: “We are seeing an incredible demand from UK travellers already this year across the board, whether it is booking ski holidays, city breaks, or traditional warm weather destinations such as the Canary Islands and Spain. Travel continues to remain top of the agenda for much of the UK and we are seeing lots of people choosing to use the holiday periods to travel abroad to create those special memories.

For those looking to book a holiday, there are still phenomenal value deals on offer for all travellers and bookable through travel agents at the moment. We recommend contacting your local Advantage travel agent who will be able to use their expertise and vast wealth of experience to help book the ideal holiday for you.”