The hospitality industry sees a surprising surge in Christmas bookings for 2024, defying earlier trends.
- Overall bookings for Christmas 2024 have increased by 54% compared to the same period in 2023.
- Notably, 52% of these bookings are specifically for Christmas Day, up from 44% last year.
- The Saturdays of 14th and 7th December are currently the most sought-after dates for festive celebrations.
- There is a significant rise in group bookings, with a 38% increase in reservations for parties of ten or more.
The hospitality sector in the United Kingdom is experiencing an unexpected rise in early Christmas bookings for 2024. According to insights from Zonal, bookings have surged by 54% compared to the previous year, indicating a shift in consumer behaviour and planning.This surge suggests a positive outlook for the industry’s festive season, encouraging operators to gear up for increased demand.
Christmas Day remains a firm favourite among those making early reservations, with 52% of the bookings for the festive period dedicated to 25th December. This is an increase from 44% at the same point last year, showcasing a growing trend towards celebrating the holiday in hospitality venues.
Saturdays are proving to be popular choices for celebrations, with the 14th and 7th of December 2024 emerging as the preferred days for festive gatherings. These dates are seeing higher demand, possibly due to their proximity to the holiday and the convenience of weekend celebrations.
Group bookings have also seen a notable increase, with reservations for parties of ten or more up by 38% from 2023. These large group bookings now account for 26% of total reservations for the season, highlighting a trend towards communal celebrations.
Tim Chapman, Chief Commercial Officer at Zonal, comments on the findings, stating, “Our insights show that Christmas 2024 is already looking positive for hospitality – with bookings up on this time last year. With group bookings looking to be particularly popular, there is even more reason for operators to celebrate, but to also get prepared.” He advises the use of robust booking systems to handle the influx efficiently, easing administrative tasks during this busy period.
The increase in Christmas bookings for 2024 points to a profitable season ahead for the hospitality industry.
