Advantage reports half-term and Easter bookings ahead of 2023

The Advantage Travel Partnership has reported “strong” bookings for February half-term and the upcoming Easter holidays, with revenue up 25% compared to the same holidays last year.

The consortium attributed the sales success to consumers “continuing to prioritise travel within their personal budgets over other expenditure despite the cost-of-living crisis”.

Agents in the group reported bookings for the February half-term (February 10-18) were up 15% while revenue is up 25% year on year.

The Canary Islands are the most popular destination, accounting for 15% share of bookings.

The US is the second most-popular destination, with a 9% share of bookings, with New York accounting for more than half of departures.

Mainland Spain completes the top three destinations, with the Costa Blanca as the most popular Spanish destination.

City breaks account for 18% of bookings volume with Prague, Paris and Reykjavik the most popular destinations.

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Bookings for the Easter holidays (March 23-31 compared to April 1-9, 2023) are ahead by 8% with revenue up 25% compared to 2023.

The Canary Islands are again the top destination, taking 14% of the booking volume.

This is followed by France as Brits head for ski holidays, Paris city breaks and family holidays to Disneyland Paris.

Long-haul accounts for 26% of all departures, with the most popular destinations being US, Dubai and the Caribbean.

City breaks take a 15% share of departures with the top choices being Rome, Reykjavik, Paris and New York.

Julia Lo Bue-Said, Advantage chief executive, 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.”

Pictured: the Canary island of Fuerteventura by Elena Krivorotova/Shutterstock