With autumn approaching, many are already eagerly looking forward to the autumn holidays. This is also apparent from the rapidly increasing bookings of Sunweb Group. The most popular destinations are Crete, Gran Canaria and the Algarve. The Red Sea and Turkish Riviera are also popular this year. The travellers, especially families and couples, are not exactly happy.
On average, holidaymakers spend more than 23% more money compared to 2019, compared to an increase of 15% a year earlier. In the meantime, the winter sports enthusiast has also started booking and has to deal with higher expenses. This expenditure can largely be explained by increasing inflation and associated price increases, but more expensive accommodations are also being booked for the autumn holidays.
Autumn holiday in Turkey and on the Red Sea: it's possible again
An increase in the number of bookings for the autumn holidays was already observed in the summer period, especially for the second week of the holiday period (Middle and South region). The autumn holiday is pre-eminently a family holiday. This is also reflected in the bookings; 73% of the holiday is booked by families with children under the age of 18.
Hotels are the most popular and that it is allowed to become more luxurious is also apparent from the fact that the vast majority of holidaymakers opt for a hotel with 4 stars or more. The most popular autumn holiday destinations this year are Crete, Gran Canaria and the Algarve. Where travel beyond the borders of southern Greece was often impossible last year due to corona, the Red Sea and Turkish Riviera are popular again this year. New autumn holiday destinations, such as the islands of the Azores and Corfu, are also showing strong growth in demand.
“Even though the summer has only just come to an end, we can conclude from our rapidly increasing bookings for the autumn holidays that many people are already looking forward to the next holiday. The Canary Islands in particular are extremely popular, but new destinations, such as the Azores, are also not shunned. We still have capacity in the first autumn holiday week, but the available holidays for the second autumn holiday week are going very fast. We are therefore trying to free up as much extra capacity as possible to meet the demand, so that everyone can enjoy the last summer rays of sunshine for a while.”
Winter sports enthusiasts already know their way to the slopes
Winter sports enthusiasts have also started booking. Sunweb Group sees the bookings grow very fast during this period. The current level of bookings is even slightly higher than last year – the best winter sports season yet.
“For now, the season looks no different. Winter sports enthusiasts want to be active in the open air on holiday. Winter sports enthusiasts do not like to skip a year, we noticed that during the corona pandemic. If they have to make a different choice, there is sufficient offer for different budgets or a shorter stay, but we are not yet seeing this in the bookings.”
Winter sports enthusiasts will not be unaware of the impact of increasing inflation and associated price increases. For the coming winter sports season, Sunweb Group expects price increases of up to ten percent. The prices on the tour operator's website are adjusted on a regular basis.
“We always negotiate for the best price and there will also continue to be last-minute offers, but we cannot escape the fact that prices for holidays will rise. Fortunately, Sunweb has a wide range. In the high season you can still enjoy a winter sports week in France for under 500 euros, but we also offer luxury 5-star hotels. Something for everyone".
New destinations
Sunweb Group has the ambition to become the leading digital holiday expert and is therefore always active to offer the holidaymaker the best offer. From November 1, the offer will be expanded with new destinations. From now on you can also go to Sunweb for a holiday in the United Arab Emirates with the new destinations Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah. In addition, the holiday offer will also be expanded with Sharm el Seikh in Egypt, according to Sunweb Group.
