Travel industry fall in bookings

It is believed that rising interest rates are starting to effect bookings for the summer period. Flights and holiday bookings are down as consumers start to react to their larger mortgage repayments. Responsible heads of households are obviously waiting to see how things go before they commit themselves to an expensive holiday booking. Another rise in UK interest rates is predicted by many experts in the City and the effects of these rises are certainly starting to hit the pockets of consumers.
The budget airlines are flagging the problem by offering a sale of seats during the busy UK school holiday period. Ryanair, Easyjet, and Thomson are all offering great deals. Package holiday bookings are also down and there are some good deals to be had. The following summer weeks are going to be a very good time to grab a bargain if you don’t mind booking at the last minute. The industry will be desperate to sell unsold seats and packages.
Some of the travel industry insiders are fearful that this year could be worse than last for poor bookings. If the summer at home is good and there are problems at UK airports, as in August last year, the industry believes that bookings will be well down. With the advent and popularity of late booking it is very difficult to gauge exactly what will happen. It is very much a wait and see situation for operators and hoteliers. Everyone is hoping for a surge in late bookings to save the day.

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