Holidaymakers are flocking to book last-minute trips abroad in order to escape the unprecedented rainfall in the UK, according to travel companies. Parts of England and Northern Ireland experienced the wettest July on record, leading many people to seek sunnier destinations. Tui, one of the world’s leading tour operators, reported a 20% increase in sales for August due to the poor weather in the UK. Jet2holidays, a holiday airline, also noted a high demand for last-minute getaways as people sought to escape the dull and rainy conditions. Despite recent heatwaves across southern Europe, which may have deterred some travelers, consumers remain undeterred. Barclays data shows that spending on airlines in July increased by 39.1% compared to the previous month, and spending on travel agents rose by 7.8%. Travel agents such as Barrhead Travel and Advantage Travel Partnership have seen a surge in bookings for August departures, indicating a strong desire for a break in the sunshine. Spain, Turkey, Greece, and Italy are among the popular destinations. However, it’s worth noting that the cost of living crisis and rising prices for package holidays and flights have posed challenges for travelers. Thomas Cook reported that 30% of its current bookings are for August, higher than the typical 18-20%. Mainland Spain, specifically the northern coasts of Costa Brava and Dorada, is in high demand. On the Beach, an online holiday retailer, experienced a slump in bookings during the UK heatwave in June, but saw an increase once the rain started in July. Despite the lack of cheap last-minute deals, many travelers are determined to have a sunny holiday. Trevor Ridler, a regional manager for Fred Olsen travel agents, highlighted a 25% increase in bookings compared to pre-pandemic levels, despite customers’ financial constraints.
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