To blame are higher oil prices, and with a large part of a holiday often being a flight oil rising to over US $130 a barrel of oil by May their predictions might have been much starker. This year has seen the cost a typical family holiday as well as weekend breaks rise much faster than inflation, and many tourists have noticed the difference in the same 2007 holiday package compared to this year’s price.
But some in the travel companies too increase the prices. In addition many governments are putting up the taxes on flights that they have started levying in recent years, and with the environment such a hot issue they know they can justify it by claiming it’s to reduce carbon emissions.
The message from consumer groups is to search the internet and compare deals – big savings can be made with a little time and effort while doing some research at major holiday company sites. But if bookings are slow for last minute holidays, it is likely that the summer months will see price cuts across a range of holidays, and with more and more holidays being booked on-line the travel companies can adjust prices within minutes to reflect demand, allowing those consumers who can pick and choose their week or two off at short notice the ability to circumvent any overall price rises during the year ahead.
