Avoiding crowds and booking last minute
Avoid crowds and the highest prices during peak travel seasons by traveling during shoulder season.
It's been a message the industry has been focused on for years, especially during the post-Covid travel boom and after reports of some of the hottest summers on record in choice destinations.
A new survey from Travelsavers and the Network of Entrepreneurs Selling Travel (NEST) found evidence that travelers are taking the message to heart.
Travelsavers and NEST agencies were surveyed in April and May, and 32% of respondents reported their shoulder season bookings were up compared to the same time period last year.
More specifically, 12% said shoulder season bookings were up 10% or more from the year prior, while 20% said they were up between 1% and 9%.
Another 35% said shoulder season bookings were comparable with last year, while 27% said shoulder season bookings were down (16% said they were down 1%-9%, while 11% said they were down 10% or more). Six percent said they don't have a shoulder season because sales are consistent throughout the year.
Last-minute bookings up
The survey also found evidence that some Travelsavers and NEST affiliates are experiencing a popular trend this year: last-minute bookings.
In total, 20% of the survey's respondents said they are experiencing more last-minute bookings than usual. Another 40% reported seeing a normal amount of last-minute bookings, while 40% are not seeing last-minute bookings this year.
Take Travel Weekly's survey
Travel Weekly is currently conducting its own survey, and one of the areas it delves into is booking windows this year compared to last year. It's still in the earlier stages of being fielded, but indications point to much shorter booking windows this year.
If you haven't taken the poll yet, please take a few minutes to let us know how your travel business is doing this year. It's still open to all travel advisors and agency owners/managers and takes less than 10 minutes to complete.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Is United Parcel Service (UPS) the Best Shipping Dividend Stock for Your Portfolio?
United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) is included among the 10 Best Shipping Stocks with Dividends. A warehouse filled with boxes of parcels, symbolizing the companies reliable logistics services. United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) is an American multinational shipping and supply chain management company. The company plays a vital role in the global transport system and is expected to recover over time as international trade patterns stabilize. United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) has a strong cash position. In its recently announced earnings for the second quarter of 2025, UPS reported an operating cash flow of $2.66 billion, and its free cash flow came in at $742 million. United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) also provided a bright outlook for its dividend payments. For 2025, the company expects its payouts to be around $5.5 billion. The company has been growing its payouts for 23 consecutive years, which makes it one of the best dividend stocks to invest in. Currently, it offers a quarterly dividend of $1.64 per share and has a dividend yield of 7.52%, as of July 30. While we acknowledge the potential of UPS as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: and Disclosure: None.
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Scorpio Tankers (STNG): A Top Tanker Pick Among Shipping Stocks?
Scorpio Tankers Inc. (NYSE:STNG) is included among the 10 Best Shipping Stocks with Dividends. A top-down view of a crane loading or unloading oil barrels from a Suezmax crude oil tanker. Scorpio Tankers Inc. (NYSE:STNG) is a shipping company specializing in the transportation of oil and petroleum products. With a strategic operating model and a seasoned leadership team, the company is focused on delivering long-term performance, meeting complex global regulations, and maintaining high environmental standards. More than 85% of Scorpio Tankers Inc. (NYSE:STNG)'s fleet is outfitted with exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers), allowing the company to use lower-cost fuels while remaining compliant with environmental regulations, ultimately enhancing returns for shareholders. In July 2025, Scorpio Tankers Inc. (NYSE:STNG) agreed to bareboat charter its MR tanker, STI Bosphorus, at $13,150 per day (about $21,000 TCE) to a third-party joint venture. The vessel will be reflagged under the US and enrolled in the Tanker Security Program, with the charter running until 2037, subject to annual NDAA renewals. The deal is set to begin in August 2025. In addition to its growth strategies, Scorpio Tankers Inc. (NYSE:STNG) also remains committed to its shareholder obligations. Over the course of its dividend history, the company has raised its payouts several times and currently offers a quarterly dividend of $0.40 per share. With a dividend yield of 3.50%, as of July 30, STNG is among the best dividend stocks from the shipping sector. While we acknowledge the potential of STNG as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: and Disclosure: None. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
What are the Mega Millions numbers for Friday, August 1? Jackpot stands at $142 million
Have you gotten your tickets yet? Friday, August 1, Mega Millions jackpot stands at $142 million with a $62 million cash option. Here's what to know about the Mega Millions: Latest Mega Millions winning numbers Friday, August 1, winning numbers are 18-27-29-33-70 and the Megaball was 22. Tuesday, July 29, winning numbers were 17-30-34-63-67 and the Megaball was 11. Did anyone win the last Mega Millions drawing? There were no jackpot winners Tuesday, July 29. How many Mega Millions winning numbers do you need to match to win a prize? You only need to match one number in Mega Millions to win a prize. However, that number must be the Mega Ball, worth $2. What is the Mega Millions payout on matching 2 lottery numbers? Matching two numbers won't win anything in Mega Millions unless one of the numbers is the Mega Ball. A ticket matching one of the five numbers and the Mega Ball is worth $4. Visit for a complete list of payout information. Mega Millions numbers you need to know: Most commonly drawn numbers When is the next Mega Millions drawing? Drawings are held two times per week at approximately 11 p.m. ET every Tuesday and Friday. You can watch drawings via YouTube. How much is a Mega Millions ticket? A Mega Millions ticket costs $2 per play. For an additional $1, players can add the Megaplier to potentially increase their winnings outside of the jackpot. How to play Mega Millions Here's how to play Mega Millions: Mega Millions 2023-2025 lottery jackpot winners Here is the list of 18 Mega Millions jackpot wins in 2023 through 2025, according to $348 million — June, 27, 2025; Virginia $112 million — April, 18, 2025; Ohio $344 million — March 25, 2025; Illinois $113 million — Jan. 17, 2025; Arizona $1.22 billion — Dec. 27, 2024; California $800 million — Sept. 10, 2024; Texas. $560 million — June 4, 2024; Illinois. $1.12 billion — March 26, 2024; New Jersey. $1.35 billion — Jan. 13, 2024; Maine. $20 million — Jan. 17, 2024; New York. $31 million — Jan. 24; Massachusetts. $31 million — Jan. 31; Massachusetts. $483 million — April 14; New York. $20 million — April 18; New York. $1.58 billion — Aug. 8, 2023; Florida. $36 million — Aug. 15, 2023; Florida. $360 million — Oct. 6, 2023: Texas. $395 million — Dec. 8, 2023; California (2). Top 11 Mega Millions lottery jackpots Here are the all-time top 11 Mega Millions jackpots, according to $1.58 billion — Aug. 8, 2023; Florida. $1.537 billion — Oct. 23, 2018; South Carolina. $1.35 billion — Jan. 13, 2023; Maine. $1.337 billion — July 29, 2022; Illinois. $1.22 billion — Dec. 31, 2024; California $1.05 billion — Jan. 22, 2021; Michigan. $656 million — Mar. 30, 2012; Kansas, Illinois, Maryland. $648 million — Dec. 17, 2013; California, Georgia. $560 million — June 4, 2024; Illinois. $543 million — July 24, 2018; California. $536 million — July 8, 2016; Indiana. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Mega Millions numbers: Winning numbers for 8-1-25; jackpot at $142M Solve the daily Crossword
