IN FOCUS Ikos Kissamos, Crete WHAT’S TRENDING Bartolomé Island, Galápagos


Many industry players have


reported a rise in last-minute bookings during peaks,


Seven Seas Cruises saw a 20% year-on-year rise in trading in January, but Paul Beale, vice-president of sales for the UK and Ireland at Regent Seven Seas Cruises and sister line Oceania Cruises, admits “booking patterns are shifting, with more demand being pulled into the preceding quarter”. “I would predict that each peaks


period will push further out in the coming years,” he says. “As luxury cruise lines approach the end of the preceding year in better positions, there will be less ‘in year’ business to sell. This is something we’re already seeing: luxury lines will be selling less ‘lates’ in peak booking season and more forward sailings.”


Offers and opportunity Though change is afoot, most agents and suppliers agree peaks still has its benefits. Offers and discounts – though less important to wealthy travellers – can still be well received, and the period serves as a key time of year to plan ahead for complex itineraries and secure rooms and seats during busy travel periods. “There’s no urgency from luxury clients – they will book when they’re ready – [but]


we can absolutely use an offer to our advantage to get a sale over the line more quickly,” says Designer Travel’s managing director Amanda Matthews. Travel by Hannah founder Hannah


Porter agrees: “Why would we not encourage clients to book earlier if they’re getting better value for money? It’s our responsibility as agents to let people make that informed decision.” Peaks promotions can also be a potential


avenue to discover new clients, with January becoming the biggest month for new business for luxury operator Caribtours. “When the whole industry is creating a


buzz around peaks, it creates an element of ‘what am I missing out on?’,” says Jeffs. “For those clients who don’t have a repeat pattern or are looking for something new, peaks is more exciting.” The start of the year may no longer


be a defining period for some, but it still provides a key opportunity to inspire, convert interest and drive new business. “Peaks is never going to disappear,


but it’s going to continue to morph into something else,” says Jeffs. It’s up to agents how they use that to their advantage.


WPFGTUEQTKPI VJG KPETGCUKPIN[ ƃWKF nature of the luxury market. “Whereas previously clients would book big trips a year in advance, we’re now booking tailor- made trips such as the Galápagos, Japan and Costa Rica for departures in just a few months,” says Luxury Travel Studio’s Helen Thomas. Hannah Vincent of Select World


Travel agrees: “We’ve seen an increase in last-minute ski trips, Maldives holidays and city breaks from regular clients who book VJTGG VQ ƂXG VTKRU RGT [GCT q The pattern is also evident at Caribtours. “We did more late business in January than we’ve ever done, including many departing in as little as two to four weeks,” says chief executive Paul Cleary. Caribtours also reported “huge demand” for Europe in the summer holidays, accounting for about 85% of bookings in February. Cleary UC[U VJKU TGƃGEVU C DTQCFGT UJKHV in behaviour among high-end


travellers, who are “spending more on travel and taking more trips”.


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MARCH 2026 ASPIRE


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CREDIT: Shutterstock/Jess Kraft


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