Travel firms offer pay monthly plans

On The Beach is attempting to woo customers with the option of settling up monthly as the strong recovery in demand continues. And Tui is urging people to get in early for the best deals, including free kids’ places.

The push comes after this summer’s chaos when airlines struggled to cope with staff vacancies created by the pandemic – leaving thousands of flights cancelled.

Now, with sky-high inflation and the threat of recession, many households will be looking at different options to fund a break.

Richard Sofer, Tui’s commercial director, said: “We know finances will continue to be challenging given the cost-of-living crisis many families will face.

“Holidays are precious, and it is understandable people are reluctant to give up that special time to recharge and reconnect with loved ones.

“It really will pay to book early though – locking in prices now – spreading the cost over a longer period and grabbing one of the thousands of free kids’ places that are currently available bang in school holiday time.”

And Zoe Harris of On The Beach, said: “More people than ever before are looking to spread the cost and plan ahead. With deposits as low as £30 and [the option] to pay monthly, we are sure this will see a rise in bookings.” Despite financial pressures, most of us plan to holiday overseas in the next 12 months.

Research from Travel Republic found that more than two-thirds of those surveyed said they still plan to travel.

However, a massive 92 percent admitted to anxiety about rising economic woes.

Travel firms and tour operators are anticipating a surge of bookings in the New Year, particularly for cheap short-haul jaunts to Europe.

Travel expert Paul Charles suggested people could even save money by booking a holiday abroad in winter – if it’s cheaper than paying energy bills.

The chief of the PC Agency said: “January 2023 will see no let-up in our desire to travel.

“The pandemic lockdowns have left many wanting more freedom –and conditioned us to plan ahead so we can see family and friends, as well as take holidays, on a more regular basis. Bookings for flights and holidays, especially short-haul in Europe, are very strong up until summer 2023. Demand has never been stronger on some routes.

“Yet we’ll see around eight million bookings in the January and February busy booking period, as airlines, cruise, hotel and other travel firms entice us with attractive pricing and new destinations. Some will have saved money to spend on holidays by doing less commuting; for others, it will be cheaper to go away in the early part of the year, rather than switch on their heating.

“Whatever the reason, 2023 really does look set to be a bumper year for the recovering travel sector.”

David Child, at Thomas Cook, revealed the firm has already enjoyed a booking surge of 100 percent this month – and demand is expected to grow in the New Year after January’s payday. He said: “Typically bookings will peak on the last weekend of January.

“We expect this year to be one of the biggest yet for holiday sales as people take advantage of deals and discounts to lock in the price of their summer holidays and also pick up last-minute winter sun getaways.

“Lots of people are yet to take a proper holiday since the pandemic and we expect those people to make up for lost time.”