Brits are increasingly leaving holiday bookings until just weeks before departure, a trend travel bosses warn is creating difficulties for the industry. According to travel association ABTA, holidaymakers are waiting longer before booking trips abroad, a shift that is adding pressure to companies already dealing with rising costs and disruption.
Challenges for travel businesses
Mark Tanzer, chief executive of ABTA, said global events, climate-related problems and the wider economy are all influencing when people decide to book a holiday. He said: "But this doesn’t come easy, the geopolitical situation, climate related events and the wider economy have all had an impact on how people travel, and when they book. There is an increasing trend for people to book much closer to departure, sometimes just weeks before, which makes it very challenging for businesses."
Industry economic contribution
The warning comes as new research shows the UK outbound travel industry now contributes £57 billion a year to the economy and supports around 865,000 jobs. According to ABTA, the industry's economic contribution has increased by 9.6% since 2019, while employment has risen by 5.7%.
Despite the growth, travel firms have faced a difficult year, with conflict in the Middle East affecting holiday plans and fuel prices. Businesses have also had to respond to wildfires and problems surrounding the introduction of Europe's new digital border system, known as the Entry/Exit System (EES).
Cost of living and calls for government support
The cost of living is another concern for holidaymakers. ABTA found that among people planning to spend less on holidays next year, 52% said the cost of living was the main reason, up from 47% last year.
The association is now calling on the Government to do more to support the travel industry, including freezing Air Passenger Duty and removing the tax for children. It also wants changes to business rates to help travel agents operating on the high street.
