Freezing Britain heads for the sun

With more cold weather and snow forecast for this week, one of the UK’s largest travel retailers is predicting bumper sales for summer holidays.

The Co-operative Travel has seen sales rise dramatically since the recent cold spell, with a 20 per cent increase in online revenue as holidaymakers stayed at home and booked in the Internet. However, subsequently it is sales at The Co-operative Travel's High Street branches that have risen, with bookings increasing by up 20 per cent in the seven days following Britain’s coldest spell in 13 years (w/c 11th January).

During the same period enquiries across The Co-operative Travel's branches rose by 20 per cent, culminating in the business’ busiest ever day on 16 January.

Trevor Davis, Director of Retail Distribution at The Co-operative Travel, said: “Bookings were slow at the turn of the year as holidaymakers stayed at home, but as soon as the snow and ice disappeared we saw a huge influx of shoppers.

“Last summer’s miserable weather, coupled with the extremely cold start to the year, has seen more and more people look for some guaranteed summer sun in 2010, and the predicted cold weather this week will drive sales further. Family bookings to Florida this summer are also booming fuelled by great prices, free child places and the soon to open Harry Potter World at Universal Theme Parks in Orlando.”

Summer 2010’s top destinations are Turkey and Egypt, which have seen a 30 and 12 per cent rise in bookings respectively year on year.

Davis continued: “Turkey and Egypt are popular as they are outside of the Eurozone and therefore better value for money. Both also offer a wide range of all-inclusive breaks, which have become enormously popular as holidaymakers look to make their budgets go further.”

Frances Tuke, PR Manager at ABTA, said: "The weather in our country is a key reason as to why we are a nation of travellers, even though economically, we may not be that much better off than last year. Holidays are now at the forefront of our minds and this upturn in sales proves yet again that we consider holidays to be a necessity and not a luxury."