Travel Counsellors: 'More bookings in seven days than in April'

Nearly £6 million in bookings were made in the last week, with UK leisure bookings climbing to 70% of the figures achieved the same time last year, and the company reports that more than £1 million bookings were made on Wednesday 25 November alone.

The spike in sales follows sentiment revealed in the company’s latest survey, which saw Travel Counsellors customers cite ‘winter weather in the UK’ and the limit on seeing family members over Christmas time as ‘reasons to get away’.

Travel Counsellors global sales director, Jim Eastwood, said: “Travel Counsellors customers are for the most part falling into two groups – one making last-minute bookings within three weeks of departure, and others booking far into summer 2021 on the premise that travel restrictions will be a distant memory due to the prevalence of a vaccine.

“We are supporting our business owners to take advantage of both short and long-term opportunities by reacting quickly to customer demand, and stay focused on helping travellers make the memories they’ve missed this year – from seeking sunnier climes to spending more time with family and friends.”

December departures were the most popular booking made last week by Travel Counsellors, with the UAE being the top destination for customers craving higher temperatures. January departure enquiries also grew by 35%, doubling the figures from two weeks ago.

The company further reports that summer 2021 bookings have increased by 46%, with the Mediterranean and the US proving most popular, and customer enquiries are up 45% week on week.

The sales spike has been supported by the company’s latest marketing campaign, Twenty-one for 21, highlighting 21 destinations to explore next year.

Alongside the marketing campaign, Travel Counsellors are taking advantage of dedicated advanced video call workshops and in-depth social media courses provided by the company to help TCs keep close and stay connected to customers, even if they can’t yet meet face-to-face.

As England heads towards the end of its second lockdown period and into a tiered approach, Travel Counsellors confirms that corporate travel bookings in the UK have also increased by 30% compared to the previous week.

To encourage customers to rebook their travel arrangements with their Travel Counsellor, the company is running an incentive which will see three customers win the cost of their holiday if they opt to rebook their plans.