Poor weather produces record holiday bookings

With 2007 having delivered the wettest June since records began and a flood-ridden July, the travel industry has received an unexpected increase in demand, benefiting the UK’s major holiday companies as an increasing desire to see some sunshine in 2007 reaches its peak.

Online travel agent directline-holidays.co.uk reports a year-on-year increase of 150% for summer holiday bookings in 2007 and a corresponding increase in the number of visitors to their website directline-holidays.co.uk.

A statement from ABTA confirmed the significant rise in the travel industry: “Bookings in June and July compared to the same period last year are up by 40%. Destinations proving most popular are those in the Mediterranean such as Spain, Greece and Turkey. Likewise, the strength of the pound against the US dollar means that many more people are taking advantage by going to the USA”.

Falling package holiday prices have also increased demand, as analysis from Co-op Travel and Travelcare shows that overall prices to 15 of the top 30 destinations have fallen by up to 13% from 2006. World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) President Jean-Claude Baumgarten has confirmed that by the end of 2007, travel & tourism would “account for 10.3 percent of global GDP and more than 234 million jobs”, rounding off a record year.

Security measures taken in the last 12 months mean that British tourists feel a little safer than they did at this time last year. A statement from BAA, which operates 7 major airports including Gatwick, Heathrow and Glasgow, confirmed that an additional £40 million had been spent on “1,400 additional security staff” and that further security lanes have been opened across all their seven UK airports, including Gatwick, Glasgow and Heathrow.

Directline-holidays sales director Matthew Flint confirmed that a combination of terrible weather, increased staff numbers and continued website development had resulted in a rewarding and profitable year for the top 20 travel agent*, “2007 has once again proved that you cannot rely on the British weather. Huge demand for summer holidays has forced us to increase staff numbers to deal with calls, but thankfully website development has meant more people are choosing to book online, meaning we can assist more customers than ever before.”

Directline-holidays.co.uk has also confirmed that 40% of all their bookings are now made online.

Most popular summer 2007 destinations for directline-holidays:

1. Balearic Islands
2. The Algarve
3. Dalaman Region (Turkey)
4. Greek Islands
5. Costa de Sol

*Source = Travel Weekly 26 January 2007, Top 20 Travel Agencies.

Contact: Ross Marchant - Tel: 020 8239 8844
Email: ross.marchant@directline-holidays.co.uk
Website: www.directline-holidays.co.uk