TravelSupermarket tracks near 50% year-on-year surge in summer lates
James ChappleComparison site TravelSupermarket is tracking a near 50% surge in summer lates heading into autumn, with bookings for October half-term alone up by more than than a fifth.
The firm has recorded a 47% year-on-year increase in searches and bookings made between 6 August and 5 September for departures in September and October when compared with the same period last year.
In addition, UK holidaymakers have so far booked 21% more trips departing during the first weekend of the October half-term break (21-23 October) than they did in 2022.
It comes as another indication that the late booking trend that has so far characterised post-pandemic booking patterns is showing no signs yet of slowing down.
According to TravelSupermarket, the most commonly-booked destinations for the coming months include Tenerife, Cyprus, Dalaman, the Costa del Sol and Lanzarote, highlighting the strength of demand for late summer sun.
The top ten is rounded out by Rhodes, Majorca, Fuerteventura, the Costa Blanca and the Algarve.
TravelSupermarket has also tracked some of significant year-on-year savings to be had on travel to some of these destinations.
Comparing prices for a seven-night stay across all board categories departing in the first weekend of the 2023 October half-term (21-23 October) versus 2022 (22-24 October), TravelSupermarket found savings on trips to Dubai of more than a third – down from £2,331 to £1,531.
Prices for Hurghada come in down 11% year-on-year, Rhodes -8%, Dalaman and Gran Canaria -6% and Tenerife -5%.
Chris Webber, TravelSupermarket head of holidays and deals, said: “It’s likely the spike in bookings for October half-term is a result of cheaper prices at this time of year – and the bad summer weather in the UK during the summer holidays pushing up demand for autumn sun.
"But while we’ve seen price rises in line with inflation for many destinations, there has been a year-on-year dip in prices for destinations such as Dubai, where prices on average have dipped by more than a third."
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