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Barrhead Travel reports record trading day as cruise bookings soar

cruise predictions for 2024

Barrhead Travel recorded a record-breaking sales day on 7 January, which the agency attributed to demand from Sunshine Saturday.

It surpasses the group’s previous record sales day from January 2020 and contributes to an overall growth of 52 per cent for the week when compared with the same period in 2019.

Demand for cruise holidays has “significantly grown year-on-year”, Barrhead said, with cruise bookings up by over 200 per cent this week.

Both mainstream and luxury cruise product are performing well, it added, with Southampton and Miami departures featuring in its top 10 destinations.

While summer 2023 is dominating sales, accounting for more than sixty per cent of holidays sold last week, late departures are “holding strong with more than one in five new bookings due to depart between now and April”.

Holidays abroad ‘being prioritised’

Barrhead Travel president Jacqueline Dobson said: While we’d seen signs before Christmas that demand for January bookings would be strong, we’re thrilled that the first week of January trading has exceeded expectations.

“We are off to a phenomenal start, which I believe is indicative of people’s desire to prioritise travel during 2023.

“Last year was a lates market for travel, but this year has returned a confidence of planning ahead. Most importantly, our customers are telling us they want to lock in prices now so they have certainty and to help with their holiday budgeting.”

Dobson added: “Value-for-money is top priority and you can see this from the product that is currently booking. People are asking about all-inclusive and cruising where pricing is very attractive without compromising on experiences.

“Interestingly, longer durations already seem to be on the rise with 10 nights or longer making up 45 per cent of new bookings. I think what we are seeing is people, particularly families, taking longer holidays this year to both maximise budgets and spend more quality time with loved ones.

“For many, their staple holidays abroad are being prioritised, perhaps sacrificing the odd weekend away in favour of increasing duration and upgrading their main getaway.”

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