A travel agency is forecasting a “bookings boom” this weekend as people rush to secure not only their summer holidays but winter getaways too.
The first Saturday in January following return to work and school is usually one of the busiest booking days for the travel industry.
Barrhead Travel say that its first full week of January trading has already been off to a strong start, with bookings at the beginning of this week outstripping demand compared with 2024.
Scotland’s largest independent travel group, which has over 90 retail locations across the UK, say they expect a flurry of holidaymakers looking to lock in deals for key travel periods.
Summer 2025 is the top season, making up more than half of new bookings. December 2025 is also cited as one of the top-selling months so far with Barrhead Travel attributing higher-than-usual demand due to the increased desire to escape the cold during winter.
Jacqueline Dobson, President of Barrhead Travel, said: “With the festive season over and people returning to work, thoughts are firmly turning to holiday plans. We’re expecting another bumper year for holidays as Brits prioritise travel and focus on enjoying experiences with loved ones.
“January remains the one of the best times to book a holiday as it’s the time of year where most operators, airlines and cruise lines offer significant savings and added value. With demand for travel at an all time high, booking early also means that you’re more likely to get your first choice of accommodation.
“People have been booking their holidays earlier over the last few years and that’s a trend that looks like it’s here to stay. As well as benefiting from the best prices, we’re noticing that holidaymakers are preferring to take advantage of being able to pay a deposit and spread the cost of the trip.
“Our experts are really looking forward to a busy few weeks of supporting their customers and help them map out their dream trips for 2025.”
Barrhead Travel is currently offering holidays with low deposits starting from £60 per person and has thousands of free child places available.
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