Agents report pick-up in bookings Juliet Dennis


The trade has reported a pick-up in sales momentum as consumer hesitation about the geopolitical situation “gives way” to bookings. Travel agents said improved


trading followed a slowdown in shop footfall due to the bank holiday weekend coinciding with the start of the half-term and UK heatwave. They credited continued strong


promotions, including free child places and discount codes, for converting sales. “Recent announcements, such as


Jet2 extending free child places across all summer flights, are giving families who haven’t yet booked a ‘hard-to- ignore’ reason to commit,” said


InteleTravel UK and Ireland managing director Tricia Handley-Hughes. She cited a shift in customer


sentiment about the Middle East, adding: “We’ve seen hesitation give way to bookings in recent weeks.” Hays Travel head of sales Tanya


Cooper reported more seven-night bookings, noting: “Although sunny weather impacted the start of last week, we saw great trading days towards the end.” Consortia pointed to a rise in


family bookings. “We’ve seen a notable surge in


family demand for summer 2026,” said The Travel Network Group chief operating officer Stephanie Slark, who revealed passenger numbers were up 5% week on week.


Gulf crisis has ‘high’ impact on a third of European businesses


Ian Taylor


A survey of the impact of the Gulf crisis on tourism businesses across Europe has found almost one-third reported a ‘high’ impact “requiring significant operational changes” and more than half a ‘moderate’ impact. The survey by European travel


association Etoa in May found disruption “widespread” amid “reduced demand, increased cancellations, later-booking behaviour and heightened price uncertainty”. Etoa noted “a severe effect


on long-haul and multi-country itineraries, especially involving Asia- Europe and Australian travel flows”


4 4 JUNE 2026


with “rising airfares, fuel surcharges and transport costs eroding margins and, in some cases, making programmes commercially unviable”. It reported: “Many businesses


are carrying financial exposure from non-refundable services and limited supplier flexibility. While some suppliers initially offered more-flexible terms, many respondents report standard cancellation and refund conditions have largely been reinstated.” Etoa concluded many businesses


“expect to rationalise their offer, prioritising lower-risk programmes as uncertainty continues into 2027”. The reduction in long-haul


Hot weather at home doesn’t always dampen demand; for many, it’s the prompt to book their next trip


Advantage Travel Partnership


reported a 26% sales rise for June departures on last year. All-inclusive bookings made up 37% of sales. “We saw plenty of momentum in


late sales last week,” said commercial director John Sullivan. “Family bookings have edged up, taking a slightly larger share of the total.” He added: “Hot weather at home doesn’t always dampen demand;


for many, it’s the prompt they need.” Barrhead Travel managing director


Nicki Tempest-Mitchell agreed, saying: “Demand remains resilient.” Spain, Greece and Turkey were


named standout summer performers, alongside cruise, the UK domestic market and 2027 departures. The Vertical Travel Group


reported a hike in domestic holiday sales over the last month, while Travel Counsellors said cruise sales overall were 30% up on last year and noted a 19% rise in premium leisure departures for 2027 in the last week. Fred Olsen Travel said an 18%


rise in bookings over the same bank holiday week last year was “driven in particular by strong 2027 sales”, which took a 50% share of bookings.


Rome


arrivals to Europe via the Gulf could, in theory, free hotel capacity for European travellers, including UK holidaymakers. However, Association of Atol


Companies advisor Alan Bowen reported little evidence of additional rooms becoming available, saying: “I’m not sure there is really any good news. The market is tough and it’s very late booking.” Only 13% of Etoa members – of


which two-thirds are tour operators, agents or OTAs – reported no impact from the war, compared with 32% a ‘high’ impact and 55% ‘moderate’. More than two in three (68%)


reported reduced demand, 51% more


cancellations, 44% changed booking patterns and 40% higher prices. Etoa noted: “Enquiries and sales


have slowed significantly, with weaker pipelines for late 2026 and 2027.” It added: “Suppliers have largely


withdrawn earlier flexibility [on cancellations] and are enforcing standard conditions. Flight disruptions and lack of viable routes are often not accepted as valid grounds for refunds.” The survey in early May drew


responses primarily from operators, agents and destination management companies selling to international markets including North America, Australia and New Zealand, Europe and Asia.


travelweekly.co.uk


PICTURE: Shutterstock/Sean Pavone


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