Majority of agents expect new year bookings rise

More than 80% of UK leisure travel agents expect to see an increase in bookings in the first quarter of next year.

The figure was revealed in a poll of 185 agents by Amadeus looking at how the travel industry will perform at the start of 2006.

Despite speculation of an economic slowdown in the UK, 82% of UK leisure travel agents predicted a rise in bookings during the first three months of 2006, compared to 56% of business agents. 

For the 82% of UK leisure agents who felt business was looking positive for 2006, almost a third expected sales to increase by 5%, almost two fifths said they predicted sales to increase by 10% and almost a third felt sales would increase by 20%.

Of the 56% of UK business travel agents who felt bookings would rise in 2006, more than a third forecast sales to rise by 5%, over two fifths said they thought sales would increase by 10%, just under a fifth expected to see rises in sales of 20%.

When asked what types of holidays customers were booking earlier and later this year compared to last:

·       Summer holidays came out on top with 66% of customers booking ahead compared to last year.

·       Christmas breaks are also enjoying advanced bookings this year according to 55% of respondents.

·       But consumers looking to escape the winter were booking winter sun holidays later in 2005, according to 60% of respondents.

·       Similarly, ski holidays were being booked later, according to 65% of respondents.

The survey also found that more than a third of agents claimed that due to the growing popularity of elements such as cruise and fly-drive holidays, over 10% of all bookings now include a non-air component to them.

When asked why consumers still use their trusted travel agent, 75% claimed it was because customers felt agents had superior industry knowledge, 69% said agents demonstrate the ability to pull together complicated itineraries, 61% said agents are destination experts and 46% said despite the ease of self booking, travel agents still get clients the best deals.

Amadeus UK marketing director Elaine Seeto said: “Despite increased fuel costs, most travel agents in our survey are reporting healthy forward bookings for the New Year.

“UK travel agents have a strong self-belief in the benefits of booking with professionals as opposed to DIY channels.

“Some respondents say one of the main benefits of travel agency bookings is their pro-active support, such as crisis management, which we saw in action during last year’s Asian tsunami.

“One certainty is that all the while travel agents continue focusing on delivering what is of value to their customers, they will remain an integral part of the UK travel experience.”

Report by Phil Davies