Bookings up for high street agents
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High street agents noted a strong February with summer bookings up 2% on last year, according to industry analyst GfK. While total booking were flat for the month year-on-year, revenue gained 8% for the same period -, an average £52 a passenger. Sales of package holidays, family holidays and all-inclusives rose 8%, 6% and 14% respectively. There were shortfalls however, adult bookings for short breaks dropped 3%, but the demand for seven and 14-night holidays held up. Despite this, GfK highlighted a shift to shorter holidays among families, with a 22% increase in sales of ‘six nights or fewer’ despite the rise in average price. Total season-to-date bookings for summer 2013 remain 1% down, with revenue 2% up, according to GfK. Bookings for the winter season about to end were 7% down year on year in February and 8% down overall – broadly in line with capacity – but with revenue better at -4% on 2011-12. GfK managing director Sarah Smalley said the deep capacity cuts “will help re-base the market so we should see less steep declines in future.” Tunisia and Egypt were among the fastest-growing summer destinations in February, along with Minorca, Tenerife and Croatia. Mexico was the leading growth destination for winter – up 8% for the season to the end of February, on top of 20% growth last year, despite an average selling price of £1,457.