Global Travel Collection predicts record bookings for 2023

Global Travel Collection UK (GTC UK) predicts a record year in 2023 as its business and leisure bookings have “soared” in the first week of January.

It said hotel room nights have increased by 51% year on year, with travellers booking longer stays, despite global average rate increases.

Meanwhile, business travel flight bookings for the first week are up 25% year on year.

Greece, Dubai and Thailand are the top-selling leisure destinations, while Japan has risen to seventh place, thanks to the reopening of its borders.

Jason Oshiokpekhai (pictured), GTC UK managing director, said: “It’s encouraging to see the rise in bookings in both our corporate and leisure sectors, putting us in a strong position for the year of 2023.

“We are seeing an appetite for adventure and escapes for city-dwellers. There has also been an upsurge in multigenerational travel.

“Our leisure clients want deeply cultural experiences. They want meaningful and purpose-driven experiences; eating local food and interacting with the local community.

“With the reopening of China’s borders, we predict that demand will continue to rise.”

GTC UK is a division of Internova Travel Group, which is also Barrhead Travel’s parent company.

Its luxury brands include Colletts Travel, Protravel, Tzell Travel Group and Scotia Travel.