The Coach Tourism Association’s (CTA) members have reported a strong summer, as well as good levels of bookings for the end of this year and into 2025.
Coach traveller numbers have returned to and, in some cases, exceeded those from before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to qualitative feedback received by the association.
CTA notes a trend in travellers booking late, now typically as little as within 21 days of departure, “making planning with accommodation, attractions, and restaurants more complex”.
The association’s Chair, Robert Shaw, says: “There are challenges including price inflation, some hold-ups in cross-Channel services, as well as the gap in driver recruitment. However, on average, CTA members are seeing that consumer demand is high.
“The resilience of the traveller is strong and consumers are prioritising travel. It’s also noteworthy that demand is coming from new trips and tours available. Partnership between CTA’s operator and wholesaler members and supplier members is vital to develop new product in answer to consumer demand.”
As for specific feedback, Claire Smith, Finance Manager at coach tour operator Eastons Holidays, says: “The UK market has significantly improved over the last two years, and we are certainly back to pre-pandemic levels of departures.”
Phil Vockins, General Manager at coach tour operator Crusader Holidays, adds: “Our Summer 2024 Day Trips have been really successful. We have carried more than 2,000 passengers during the school holidays and over 6,500 passengers year to date – both of which are records for us.”
Meanwhile, Shaun Read, Managing Director at coach holiday wholesaler Ashley and Newey, says: “For the calendar year to date, we’re finding the season very positive so far with growth in all areas.
“Passenger numbers are up significantly from the same period last year, and the number of holidays operating and loadings (passengers per holiday) are also both up versus last year. We’ve seen huge demand across the sector and increased UK sales despite operators increasing the number of continental Europe holidays on sale.”
Looking further into the future, it is a similar story of optimism, according to operators and wholesalers.
Mr Vickins adds: “The area we are very positive about right now is booking for our 2025 Crusader Holidays tours. Early bookings are up by over 30% compared to this time last year.”
Janet Blake, Blakes Coaches Director, says: “We’ve just released our 2024-25 winter and spring brochure and we’ve had one of the best starts, in terms of sales, that we’ve ever had, so we’re very optimistic for the upcoming launch of our summer 2025 brochure.”
European tours have been particularly popular, Ms Smith highlights. “We are seeing a large increase in loadings, and new customers choosing to try a long-haul touring holiday. Our most popular by far is Italy, which is why we have chosen to not only offer the regular annual tours to Lake Garda or Maggiore, but also a much bigger offering to include Rome, Sorrento and Pompeii.
“We are finding customers want to explore destinations which would normally be off-limits to coach touring, which is why we have included the likes of Corsica and Sardinia for 2025. So far, these have been well received.”
