The 2025 booking season starts off cold but is tipped to warm up from this week with optimism still topping industry experts expectations.
ITTN contacted some agents across the country to find out what’s hot – what’s not – and how business is.
Interestingly, it seems that the once famous January boon of holiday bookings is on hold for the moment, with Paul Hackett, CEO of Click&Go, accounting it to a late start back for the schools and freezing temperatures across the country which have hampered sales. He expects a pick up from this week and it seems he is not alone.
Couple that with an exceptional level of advertising and the kick off of the Holiday World Show in Belfast last weekend, followed by Limerick and Dublin and we are sure that 2025 will prove to be a bumper year for the industry.
Here’s what some of your industry peers had to say:
In Cork, Paul Dawson, General Manager, Dawson Travel told us that they are very busy with requests for all kinds of everything. “Today alone we have had enquiries for a minimoon in October, family camping in France in July, couple camping in France in June, golfing in Tenerife, a cruise in the Med, a family trip to see the Easter Procession in Malaga, the Six Nations Rugby trip to Rome in March and all sorts of football packages from Barcelona to Liverpool. No phone call or email is the same and we like that.”
At the top of the country in Donegal, we are seeing a similar pattern as Emma McHugh, Managing Director, Atlantic Travel reported to us: “I was extremely surprised at how busy it has been from when we reopened on the 30th December. The volume of enquiries greatly surpassed the same period last year and conversions from enquiries were the highest we have had in months. This week started extremely strongly but due to the impact of the weather (adjustments to opening hours to facilitate staff safely travelling) we have seen a slight decrease on the previous week. Overall, I have been taken aback on how positive the start of the peaks has been and I am optimistic that it will continue into the next couple of months.
“We have seen a slight shift in the profile of our customers – we are seeing a younger client base booking with us, both from the family market and groups. Cruise still proving to be a strong and growing market for us.”
Caroline O’Toole – Head of Cruise Sales & Development, at JWT Travel – said: “It started off quiet when we came back after the holidays with a few enquires, this week seems to have picked up for us with a bang – with a mix of last-minute winter sun getaways and Cruises for the Mediterranean and the Caribbean for March and Easter time bookings.
“Cruise & Stay packages for Orlando are looking popular for 2025 and plus there is definitely an increase in interest for Japan and Asia Cruises for 2025 and 2026.
“River cruising is also going to be popular for 2025 and 2026, plus more small group bookings with family and friends getting together for special birthdays and reunions and I think this is going to be a trend for some time.
“There are also some very interesting Honeymoon enquiries coming in, plus clients who normally would have booked online coming back into see us to book that special holiday.
“We are looking forward to connecting with all our suppliers in the weeks and months to come to explore what’s new and trending for 2025.
“Wishing all our industry colleagues a very successful and exciting year ahead for 2025.”
Martin Skelly – Head of Travelvalue.ie/Navan Travel – said: “The Camino is really busy for us and we are over 50% ahead of the same time last year. Cruises are also selling well and there is a growing interest in river cruises. We are also finding that escorted yours are selling well.”
Mary Denton – CEO of Sunway Holidays – said: “2025 is off to a promising start, with strong sales across our product range, setting a positive outlook for the months ahead.
“In particular, the Sunway Escorted and Special Interest Tours have attracted considerable interest, showcasing their popularity among our customers looking for something new and different.”
