TOUR operators report a
major increase in lastminute
bookings this year.
Theresa Szejwallo, md of
The Travel Corporation, says
since February, Trafalgar has
seen an increase in travellers
booking last-minute deals.
Megan D’Arcy, product
manager of kulula holidays
says the reason for this trend
is the affordability of the
packages and the volatility of
the ROE. She says travellers
tend to wait for the rand to
strengthen against the USD,
and once it does, they ask for
quotes, book, and pay in quick
succession.
Megan explains pointto-point
destinations like
Mauritius, Thailand and the
Maldives are the easiest to
sell last-minute. However,
destinations like the US have
also seen a slight increase in
last-minute travel. She says:
“Some clients book, pay and
depart for the USA in under
seven days.”
Flora Fubbs, gm product,
marketing and operations
of The Holiday Factory, says
travellers would usually be
more conservative and book
their December holidays
in advance. But this has
changed, and travellers are
now more willing to wait
to the very last minute to
book whatever specials are
available.
Vicky Steinhardt, marketing
and product manager of
Pentravel, says Pentravel
has also seen booking lead
times decrease significantly.
She says flexibility is key for
travellers wanting to take
advantage of last-minute
deals.
Theresa suggests that
travel agents always offer
their clients the option of
a last-minute deal. “Give
a customer one quote and
they can just say yes or
no. If you give them two or
three options, you give them
something to consider.”
