Greece is the top choice of British tourists

UK travel agents have reported strong sales in recent weeks, boosted by delays, cruises and summer 2025 bookings.
The preferences seem to be dominated by all inclusive, with Greece being among the top preferences of travelers.

Jim Eastwood, global sales director at Travel Counselors, said demand "remains strong" after July's record sales, adding: "Throughout August, we have seen a significant increase in last-minute bookings, with summer 2025 bookings have already increased by 34%".

Gary Gillespie, director of product and distribution for The Travel Network Group, said sales had slowed in August compared to July but still showed "some healthy growth", adding: "Summer 2025 saw incremental growth each week . It's great to see the cruise sector enjoying a boost in sales this month… thanks to some great price reductions.”

John Sullivan, Commercial Director of Advantage Travel Partnership, noted: “Demand has continued to be strong in recent weeks with mass market sales up 20% on last year, long haul up 15% and cruise up 33%.

"All-inclusive remains incredibly popular as – although the initial holiday price is higher – consumers control their spending below the line, allowing them to manage budgets."

Paul Waters, CEO of Premier Travel, said August was "a strong month", with sales last week up more than 20% year-on-year.
Over 30% of the agency's sales are for departures up to the end of October and demand is increasing for 2025.

Judith Alderson, commercial and corporate director of Dawson & Sanderson, said package customer numbers last week were up 18% year-on-year and turnover was up 14%.

Idle Travel reported a record August with a week to go. Most bookings were made for September and October or the summer of 2025, with Turkey, Greece, Tenerife and Benidorm the top sellers, director Tony Mann said.

Lisa McAuley, group strategy director at Hays Travel, said the agency was seeing "a lot of bookings for last-minute family getaways" as well as more bookings for summer 2025.

Not Just Travel reported that August bookings were up 33% year-on-year, thanks to strong demand for direct departure travel as well as high-value repeat cruise bookings.

Earlier this month, Tui Group said UK summer bookings were up 5% over 2023, with the UK winter schedule 32% booked.

InteleTravel UK and Ireland chief executive Tricia Hughes noted that the company's sales revenue was beyond expectations for 2024, adding: “At the end of July we exceeded our total new booking revenue for the whole of 2023.

“We have seen a 94% overall increase in booking revenue for our traditional package holidays in 2023.

“All-inclusive holidays really lead the way with over 55% of bookings.

"We have also seen a 113% increase in cruise revenue compared to 2023 to date."

Meanwhile, Leger Shearings Group chief executive Liam Race said media coverage of the 80th anniversary celebrations of D-Day saw bookings for specialist battlefield tours up 17% on in 2023.

The operator's Solo Traveler collection is also growing by 17%, with demand for longer holidays of 10+ nights also increasing.

"Prices hold up, many tours run at capacity and sell out, and we don't have discounts for late bookings," he noted.

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