In a surprising trend, Not Just Travel observed a significant rise in cruise bookings on Christmas Day 2023.
- A fivefold increase in cruise bookings was recorded compared to the previous year.
- Sales in December saw an overall growth of nearly 30%, with cruise bookings making up 20%.
- Destinations such as Spain, Greece, and Florida emerged as the top choices for travellers seeking warmer climates.
- Anticipation grows for potential record-breaking holiday sales in 2024, driven by personal travel consultant services.
In an unexpected development, homeworking agency Not Just Travel reported a remarkable rise in its Christmas Day cruise bookings for 2023, marking a fivefold increase from the previous year. This surge is indicative of a significant shift in consumer behaviour, as more individuals chose to spend their festive holiday planning cruises.
The upward trend in bookings did not solely manifest on Christmas Day. Throughout December, Not Just Travel experienced an overall sales growth of nearly 30% compared to the same period in the previous year. Steve Witt, co-founder, commented on the trend, attributing the increase to Boxing Day sales, extended leisure time during the holiday season, and the financial benefit of it being a payday weekend for many.
In terms of destinations, bookings prominently featured regions known for their warm climates. Spain, the Balearics, the Canaries, Greece, and Florida were particularly popular among clients looking to escape the cold temperatures in the UK. Paul Harrison, another co-founder, noted that nearly 20% of the agency’s bookings in December were for cruises, underscoring the growing demand for this mode of travel.
Additionally, there was a noticeable rise in bookings for other locales such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Italy, and Australia. Notably, only 30% of these bookings were made by families, with the majority being secured by couples and solo travellers capitalising on holiday offers.
Looking ahead, there is optimism within the agency about achieving record-breaking holiday sales in 2024. There is an increasing demand for personalised travel consultancy, which forms a core part of Not Just Travel’s service offering, as clients actively seek expert advice and easy access to travel planning support.
The surge in cruise bookings reflects evolving traveller preferences and bodes well for future sales at Not Just Travel.
