Last minute holidays - villa and apartment bookings

Recent studies on the travel industry have shown that this year people are planning to hold back until the last-minute to make their holiday plans.

Over half of the UK’s population who intend on taking a holiday this year will be finalising the details from April onwards, an independent study commissioned by BLM Horizon has found.

54% of customers will book in April or later, 14% higher than figures surveyed only 6 months ago. The survey also found that:

- 40% of holidaymakers state they will spend less on their holiday plans.


- 27% will save money by cutting the length of their holiday, 45% by booking cheaper destinations and 43% by choosing all-inclusive deals.

- 19% state they will take less holidays this year (an increase of 11% since September) and 7% will not holiday abroad in 2009.

The survey was based on 1,000 survey respondents (a mix of package and independent holidaymakers) who travelled during 2008. Additionally, the ABTA estimates approximately 14 million uninsured trips abroad will be made this year to save on holiday costs, this includes holidays abroad, weekend trips abroad and some business trips.