A leading travel agent has reported a 34% increase in last-minute bookings
Camilo Beach (Praia do Camilo) at Algarve, Portugal(Image: Barrhead Travel)
Last-minute holiday bookings are taking off this summer as Belfast holidaymakers seek out some sun.
That’s according to a leading travel agent which has reported a 34% increase in last-minute bookings with people opting to book and travel this July.
With holidays in high demand, Barrhead Travel says over 40% of new bookings are still being made for Summer 2025, suggesting people want to travel as soon as they can.
READ MORE: Top spots for NI holidaymakers and how TV shows influence bookingsREAD MORE: Leading travel agent on top holiday trends for 2025 as it expands in Northern Ireland
The travel group, which is celebrating 50 years in business this year, says that the changeable weather over the last few months has helped to drive demand as people seek to guarantee sunny climes at great value-for-money pricing.
Booking data from Barrhead Travel points to UK consumers continuing to prioritise their breaks this year as the group is reporting another record-breaking year of sales. This chimes with monthly consumer spending reports from Barclays which indicate that spend with travel agents has grown every month so far this year.
The most-booked European destinations for Belfast holidaymakers are Mallorca, Costa Reus, Algarve, Tenerife and Cyprus. Meanwhile, rising star destinations for this summer include Malta (up by 67%), Rhodes (up by 17%), and Cyprus (up by 48%).
All-inclusive holidays remain the most popular option, accounting for more than 20% of new bookings, suggesting budgeting is a key priority for many.
Mallorca, Costa Reus, Algarve, Tenerife and Cyprus are the most-booked European destinations for Belfast holidaymakers(Image: Barrhead Travel)
Lisa Hamill, Barrhead Travel’s Regional Sales Manager in Northern Ireland says holidays are well and truly top of mind at the minute: “Our weather at home has been hit or miss over the last few months so families are looking to get some guaranteed sun and escape everyday life. The uplift in last-minute bookings we are seeing shows that demand is still high and people are making spontaneous decisions to take advantage of healthy late deals.
“Value-for-money is key – which is why we’ve seen ongoing interest in all-inclusive holidays and cruises. Most people are opting for higher quality experiences and we’re seeing spend remain the same or higher than last year, with families preferring to shorten their break in order to upgrade their trip.”
She added: “If you are still to book, we would recommend doing so sooner rather than later to secure preferred dates and locations. Booking with a reputable travel agent, such as Barrhead Travel, will guarantee the best prices and full financial protection.”
Get the best of Be in your inbox
Be is your home for all things lifestyle – from health and beauty, to work life and parenting, careers and cooking to fashion and features, and everything in between.
So to make sure you don’t miss out on the things that matter to you, we’ve created a brand-new newsletter pulling the best of Be’s content together twice a week.
To sign up, simply enter your email address here and we’ll do the rest.
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our Be lifestyle newsletter for all the latest showbiz, fashion, beauty, family features and more.