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How the booking windows for golf holidays is changing
Given the vast popularity of golf in general, pencilling in a trip at the very best resorts across Europe and America can become like a competition.
The booking window is a crucial factor for consumers to consider, as they are increasingly required to project further and further ahead to bag the hotel, tee times and golf courses that they are so excited to play.
We wanted to dive into the concept of booking windows, and how far in advance golf travellers should like to secure their perfect holiday.
What could spark a last-minute booking, and which destinations attract this type of trip? Has the booking window for golf travellers changed since the pandemic, and what actually is the average booking window for a golf trip?
We put these questions to James Bryan, Managing Director at Golf Escapes.
Is there a difference in how far in advance golfers typically book their holidays now compared with pre-pandemic years?
We are finding that the majority of our clients are booking further in advance due to tee time demand and availability. Our average booking time before travel has stretched from five months to now being around one year. Of course there is still last-minute business, but for the likes of Turkey, Spain and Portugal, most clients are aware they need to book early.
Are you seeing a return to ‘normal’ booking windows, or have consumer habits permanently shifted in a certain direction?
We see this as a semi-permanent shift due to demand and supply. This will only change if the demand decreases due to cost or a decline in popularity of golf.
What does the average booking window look like across the business right now?
There are two extremes. Groups book a long way in advance as they know the tee times they want are in limited supply. However, some small groups still try for late availability. The increase in time between booking and travel is all based around the tee time sweet spot. Examples of booking windows include:
Portugal:
- Group size of seven or under – six months in advance
- Eight people and over is 10-11 months in advance and increasing
“We are finding that the majority of our clients are booking further in advance due to tee time demand and availability”
What tends to drive last-minute bookings?
Special offers and discounts. Poor weather in the UK and good flights access at affordable prices to easy-to-reach destinations.
Are there particular destinations that attract more short-notice bookings than others?
Fuerteventura and the Canary Islands in general – they are the last-minute winter sun go-to if the weather is bad in the UK. Staying at home in the UK is also popular with last-minute, but the issue is that hotels and tee times are not always available.
Which destinations require golfers to book the furthest in advance to secure tee times and accommodation?
Turkey and the Algarve are the two big drivers of this.
Is there a noticeable spike in bookings at certain times of year?
Yes, our main booking months are January, May, October and November.
Are today’s golf travellers more price-driven or availability-driven when deciding when to book?
Both. For some it is all about the price. We offer value that includes extras that are in the packages we offer, but some clients only see the price and not the detail. However, for the majority of our clients, it is all about the golf.
Do early booking incentives still influence golfers, or do they prefer flexibility over discounts?
Early Booking Discounts (EBDs) are still a massive incentive to book.
What would be your advice to golfers on the ideal booking window for a stress-free trip?
Most of the best value-adds and discounts, along with the best availability, can be found if you book early.