Jamie Biesiada is a travel industry expert who has been closely monitoring the trends in festive season travel this year. According to Biesiada, bookings for the upcoming festive season got off to a slow start but have recently picked up momentum. This late surge in bookings has been observed not only at Jetset World Travel in Atlanta but also across the industry.
At Jetset World Travel, COO and co-owner Jeremy Sulek noted that festive season bookings only started to increase in the past two weeks. This was a stark contrast to the quieter period earlier in the summer. During Virtuoso Travel Week in August, Sulek discussed the festive season with other agency owners and suppliers. The consensus was that there is still plenty of availability for travel during this period, with prices being more flexible than usual.
Despite the late surge in bookings, advisors at Jetset are still managing to find availability for their clients. The top destinations for Jetset clients this festive season are the Caribbean and Mexico, with South America and Asia also gaining popularity. However, travel to Europe seems to be slightly down compared to the summer months.
Margie Hand, an affiliate of Andavo Travel based in Birmingham, Alabama, has also been receiving numerous festive travel requests. While her bookings are currently on par with last year’s, she has noticed an increase in inquiries. Many of Hand’s clients booked earlier this year, with a focus on luxury Caribbean hotels and yacht charters.
Although Hand has received requests for ski and Europe trips, most of her clients are opting for the Caribbean this festive season. However, pricing has become a significant factor this year, with many clients choosing to stay closer to home due to the increase in costs. Some clients have even decided to move their trips to avoid the pricier festive period.
Despite the surge in bookings, Hand is facing challenges in finding remaining availability for her clients. While some minimum stay requirements have relaxed, availability is limited, leading clients to compromise on room types and amenities. Multigenerational travel to the Caribbean, including renting villas or chartering yachts, has been a popular choice among Hand’s clients this year.
In conclusion, festive season travel is shaping up nicely this year, with a late surge in bookings observed across the industry. While the Caribbean and Mexico remain top destinations, pricing and availability are key factors influencing travel decisions. Travel advisors like Jamie Biesiada and Margie Hand are working diligently to accommodate their clients‘ needs and preferences during this festive season.