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‘Changing trends’ help boost early bookings
Increased use of technology and improved stock control is helping encourage early holiday bookings, Club 18-30 claims.
Claiming a record level of advance bookings since the launch of a 2006 preview brochure in June, the youth operator says this reflects a changing trend in the sector.
Early bookings for next summer have increased by more than 35% year on year, with many customers taking advantage of a two weeks for the price of one offer.
The operator said: “Increased confidence in the market and greater use of technology to provide better stock control – leading to less choice of late availability deals for consumers – is driving the changing trend in a sector that has always been a traditional late booking market”.
Club 18-30 head of worldwide sales Stephen Vaughan said: “The increase in early bookings is a win win situation that benefits both the business and the customer.
“Naturally, from a business perspective, we can plan and forecast much more accurately and manage the business more efficiently while for our customers they have the benefit of choosing the property that bets suits their budget and holiday needs while choice remains greater.
“While some of our early booking incentives – particularly two weeks for the price of one – are encouraging early sales, more and more consumers are recognising that holding out until the last minute to buy a late break will not always mean they get the holiday that they really wanted, booking early ensures they get exactly what they want and leads to greater customer satisfaction levels.”
Club 18-30’s main edition summer programme is due to be released shortly to the trade ahead of its launch on October 13. Bulgaria is being added for 2006.
Report by Phil Davies
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