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IN SHORT
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Last minute holidays, once synonymous with unexpected events and good deals, are undergoing a marked transformation in Lot-et-Garonne. Modern constraints, whether financial, technological or linked to changing consumer expectations, are redefining booking behavior. Thus, this emblematic trend seems to erode over time, giving way to more thoughtful and anticipated choices. Dive into the heart of the reasons for this development and the impacts on the local tourism industry.
A Transformation of the Tourist Market
In the Lot-et-Garonne, travel agencies are seeing a clear reduction in last minute tickets. This phenomenon results from a change in consumer behavior which today favors advance reservations. With prices ranging between 800 and 1000 euros per person for last minute trips in August, popular destinations like Balearic Islands, there Tunisia where the Morocco no longer arouse the enthusiasm of yesteryear.
Loïc de Lartigue, head of the Verdié Voyages agency, explains: “We are not trying to attract people for July-August because people have already booked.” This clearly illustrates a trend that is gradually taking hold, where improvisation is replaced by planning.
Developments in Agency Strategy
Changes in travel agency policy are also behind this development. Previously, the tour operators built up air stocks, selling off unsold items. Today, this approach has changed. Chloé, from the Voyages Pascal agency, specifies: “Agencies no longer obtain supplies in the same way, and prices fluctuate.” As a result, agencies are starting to focus on activities in out of season, thus limiting the last minute offer.
- Increased work on winter reservations
- Projections towards 2025
Return to Local Commerce
Faced with these challenges, the trend is moving towards a local commerce. Customers are now looking for personalized advice, often linked to linguistic issues or to specific destinations. Then come nearby companies, offering local expertise which has become crucial.
Chloé describes this return in these terms: “A lot of people have had problems related to the Internet. We are returning to a local business.” Loïc adds, adding that requests are often very specific.
An Increase in Prices in a Difficult Economic Context
Another aspect to consider is the general increase in prices. With airlines raising prices, travel budgets seem to be rising. Christelle Devecchi-Combedouzou of the Selectour Villeneuve agency indicates that this increase in costs is also due to the need to compensate for losses due to Covid crisis and the increase in taxes in the airline sector.
For the future, although the number of customers decreases, the increase in budgets makes it possible to compensate: “As budgets are increasing but we have fewer customers, we are left with a loss in turnover” , underlines the Verdié agency.
Looking to the Future
Failing to offer last minute holidays this summer, agencies are already looking to the future with destinations such as UNITED STATES, L’South East Asia, THE Puglia where the Portugal which are already full for certain flights.
Thus, the world of tourism in Lot-et-Garonne is undergoing profound upheavals, questioning the viability of last minute vacation at the dawn of this new era.
