The operator’s head of product, Wendy Kenneally, said customers are either booking very late, or are keen to book for 2010.
She said: ‘Consumer buying is so up and down at the moment. Although there is a trend towards later bookings, there are some extreme examples.
‘For example, one couple booked their honeymoon the day before they went.
‘We are seeing a lot of pick-up as the year goes on and most people are anticipating that there is a variety of destinations still available. There are opportunists out there.
‘Conversely people have been ringing us asking us for destination like Australia, which normally we would sell in September or October.
‘Over the past few weeks, clients have also been asking whether we have got 2010 on sale yet.’
Despite reports to the contrary, Kenneally said customers are not booking shorter stays.
‘Average stays vary depending on the destination, but they have not been reduced anywhere, which is a surprise,’ she explained.
She added there is a trend towards late bookings for five-star properties.
Kuoni’s Worldwide 2010 brochure is out today. Half of the destinations in the 470-page programme have prices the same as 2009 or better.
In response to changes in booking habits, the Worldwide brochure runs from 1 September 2009 to 31 December 2010.
Previous editions had run for a calendar year.
See also:
No sign yet of late bookings (05/06/2009)
Kuoni in £5.3m China acquisition (03/06/2009)
Kuoni’s UK bookings fall 30% (21/04/2009)