UK heatwave expected to create busy lates market

The UK’s heatwave is forecast to last another month — meaning many Brits will leave it later to book their 2018 summer holiday.

Traditionally, good weather in the run-up to the peak season means a bookings slowdown, while bad weather leads to an increase in searches for overseas holidays.

For example, in July 2012, poor weather in the UK led to an increase in the number of British people heading overseas, despite the economic downturn. Thomson said searches for overseas holidays in June 2012 were up 20% year-on-year.

The Met Office says the good weather the UK is currently experiencing is expected to last throughout the next two weeks, with only a few showers forecast overnight on Tuesday and later in the week. 

High pressure is forecast across the UK for the whole month with plenty of dry, sunny weather and above-average temperatures.

England’s World Cup performance is also a contributing factor.

Former ABTA president and Advantage chief executive John McEwan said: "I suspect the good weather and the World Cup are keeping people at home at the moment.

"I do expect though that we will see more bookings from mid-July onwards as the football finishes – maybe even earlier if England go out!"

In May, Deloitte global head of travel and aviation Graham Pickett told the Barclays Travel Forum the 2018 lates market would be ‘challenging’ with plenty of supply around.

He said that, while ‘consumer confidence remains high, leisure spending is dwindling’.

ABTA says its research shows bookings are healthy for summer 2018.

An ABTA spokesperson said "The latest industry stats show that currently bookings for this summer are very healthy, 6% up year on year.

"The predictions of a heatwave in the UK throughout the next few weeks may have a positive impact on the domestic market, but history has taught us that the one thing you can guarantee about British weather is its total unpredictability."

Outdoor specialist Pitchup.com is seeing a significant increase in travellers booking last-minute trips and benefiting from late availability.

Founder Dan Yates said: "For the same time period last year our guests looked on average 26 days ahead versus 19-and-a-half days this year.

"Interestingly, we’re also seeing shorter booking durations, with people staying on average approximately 2.5 nights versus three in 2017.

"There have certainly been many more June bookings than normal due to the stunning sunshine: it’s traditionally a quieter month in advance of schools breaking up.

"Outdoor enthusiasts booking now will generally benefit from a cheaper stay as June is still considered off peak and benefits from a 25% cost saving per night versus July."