Late deals agent bucks struggling package trend

At a time when many holiday operators are finding it hard to stay in business, Irish travel company LateDeals.ie has recorded its best month ever. Both the company’s volume and value of sales for August were up by 38 per cent on the same month last year.
LateDeals.ie director Juan Cullen said that with many travel operators cutting back on capacity this year, the amount of last minute bargains on offer are significantly down on last year. The Canaries and Turkey are the company’s most favoured destinations.
The average booking value was €1,412 for two people for a week. Irish holidaymakers have gained from a weaker sterling. LateDeals.ie added Belfast departures to its site this year and now provides a hotel booking engine for people who want to book flights and accommodation separately.
Last week, Slattery’s Travel, which includes Stein Travel, ceased trading. Founded in 1936, the Tralee-based long-haul operator provided the first direct flights from Ireland to South Africa.