Travel firms are bracing for a surge of New Year bookings as holidaymakers lock in deals on a 2023 dream getaway.
More than two-thirds of people are planning a trip in the near future, a study by Travel Republic found.
Customers are desperate to go abroad after being kept at home for two years by Covid, industry bosses report.
Cheap short-haul jaunts to Europe are set to be most popular as families juggle trips with financial pressures.
And demand for winter breaks is expected to rise as tourists opt to jet off to save on heating bills at home. Travel firms are offering payment schemes so families struggling with the rising cost of living can still enjoy a summer holiday abroad.
A strong recovery in demand for travel is expected to continue next year, after lockdown grounded the nation during the Covid pandemic.
But with sky-high inflation and the threat of recession, many households will be looking at options to getaway without breaking the bank.
Industry bosses are urging customers to book early to spread the cost over the holiday over a longer period and to shop about for the best packages and deals.
Richard Sofer, TUI’s commercial director, said: “The last two years have been tough on everyone, and 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 1,000s of free kids’ places that are currently available bang in school holiday time.”
Chief customer officer at On the Beach, Zoe Harris, said: “More people than ever before are looking to spread the cost and plan ahead and with deposits as low as £30 and to pay monthly, we are sure this will see a rise in bookings.”
Despite financial pressures, the majority of Britons are planning to holiday overseas in the next 12 months, according to a study.
Research from Travel Republic found that more than two-thirds of those surveyed said they still plan to travel in the foreseeable future, yet 92 per cent of respondents admitting 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.
While demand for winter breaks looks set to increase as some holidaymakers opt to jet out of the country during colder months to save on heating bills at home.
Travel expert, Paul Charles, suggested that Britons could even save money by booking a holiday abroad in winter, which could be cheaper than paying soaring energy bills.
Paul, CEO of travel consultancy 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.
“Forward 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 and pay much higher energy bills.
“Whatever the reason, 2023 looks set to be a bumper year for the recovering travel sector.”
David Child, a spokesperson for Thomas Cook, said the company has already enjoyed a booking surge of 100 per cent 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.
“Still, lots of people are yet to take a proper holiday since the pandemic and we expect those people to use the coming weeks as their ticket to heading back out and exploring the world, making up for lost time to celebrate those important milestones like honeymoons, anniversaries, birthdays and family reunions.”
He believes the number of people going on holiday abroad this year will be as big, if not bigger than before the pandemic.
