HOLIDAYMAKERS are planning to travel more often and further this year.
And older people are among those booking more adventurous breaks, says Huddersfield Co-op Travel and charity Age Concern.
January was the most popular month for booking holidays as travellers attempt to beat the winter blues.
And while last year’s recession scared people into scaling down or cancelling their vacations, would-be travellers are making up for it this year, says Co-op Travel assistant manager Keeley Byford.
Ms Byford, who works at the Westbourne Road branch in Marsh, said: “January is still a busy time for people booking their holidays. They want to get Christmas and New Year out of the way and then they can start planning for the year.
“January is the most popular month for booking. It gives people more time to budget rather than a last-minute deal.
“Destination-wise, it’s quite open. Lots of people are doing all-inclusive because of the Euro – especially families.
“Greek Islands are popular. Turkey is popular because it’s out of the Eurozone.
“Despite the recession people are still booking holidays. A lot of families didn’t have a holiday last year. You generally find people who are booking for this year have had a year of saving up.”
Older people are becoming more adventurous with their holiday plans, says Ms Byford.
Some at the Westbourne Road shop have been booking African safaris and tours as far away as Australia and New Zealand.
Age Concern, who also sell travel insurance to over-65s, say they have had a 60% increase in booking from Yorkshire people for worldwide cover between January 1 and September 30 last year when compared with the previous year.
And the number requesting winter sports cover has shot up by 166%, the charity said.
David Griffin, from Age Concern, said: “Globe-trotting is no longer the reserve of the young. Over-65s are as likely to be travelling the world as younger generations as they search for ways to bring excitement to retirement.”
