Holiday Travel 2025: Why Close-In Bookings Are Dominating the Market

Published on October 9, 2025

Travel agencies are already noticing hopeful signs in relation to bookings for the holiday seasons, even with 2025 still coming to a close and the intimate workings of the year has certainly been turbulent. The slow down in travel due to amewer consuer fears, seems to be a whole. Experts already predict a sizeable recovery in the coming months, and even some agencies are already noting a large surge in inquiries even if travel bookings are still very last minute.

Holiday Bookings Continue to Trend Late

In 2025, the trend of close-in bookings has remained strong. Many travelers, who previously delayed their holiday plans, are now scrambling to secure trips for the festive season. Travel advisors report an increase in last-minute booking requests as mid-December to early January availability remains plentiful. This delay in bookings was particularly notable during the earlier part of the year when economic uncertainty dampened consumer confidence. However, travel agencies are now seeing a steady uptick as clients finalize their holiday plans.

Agencies Experience Mixed Holiday Trends

While many travel agencies are witnessing a late surge in holiday inquiries, bookings for the upcoming festive season appear to be slightly softer than last year. Agencies like Brownell have seen a 34% drop in festive season bookings, but the decline in spending is more moderate at only 15%. Despite a decrease in bookings compared to previous years, spending per booking remains stable, suggesting that travelers are still willing to spend on quality experiences.

Brownell’s agents, who typically plan for customized, long-term holiday trips, have noted that their average booking window has shortened significantly from 161 days last year to just 116 days this year. This shift highlights a broader trend in consumer behavior, with clients more inclined to book closer to the travel date.

Availability of Holiday Travel Improves

A key factor in the resurgence of holiday bookings is the increased availability of inventory compared to previous years. Agencies like Brownell are reporting better access to rooms and hotel accommodations than in 2023 and 2024, when holiday reservations were harder to secure. The increased availability gives travelers more options as they finalize their plans, helping to alleviate some of the stress that often accompanies last-minute bookings.

In particular, Brownell has implemented a Slack channel for real-time hotel availability, ensuring advisors can provide clients with timely updates. This allows for a smoother booking process, especially during the busy holiday period. For those looking to plan trips for mid-December through early January, many travel advisors suggest booking as soon as possible, given the fluctuating demand.

Outlook for the Year-End Travel Market

Despite challenges earlier in 2025, including slower bookings during the spring months, many agencies are projecting stronger year-end sales compared to 2024. KHM Travel Group, for example, is seeing a 3% to 5% increase in holiday bookings for the season, which follows a quieter 2024 after the U.S. presidential election. For luxury brands, which have generally seen more stability, bookings are expected to grow between 14% and 18% this year.

Overall, the general consensus among travel agencies is one of cautious optimism. Agencies like Brownell are projecting a 3% increase in bookings for the full year, with revenue expected to grow by approximately 7%. These numbers may seem modest compared to the explosive growth seen in recent years, but they still reflect steady recovery after the disruptions caused by the global pandemic.

Tips for Travelers Looking to Book for the Holidays

For those looking to book a holiday getaway, now is the time to act. While availability has improved compared to the last two years, securing your travel plans earlier rather than later is advisable, especially for popular destinations and luxury experiences. Given the continued trend of last-minute bookings, booking in advance can provide peace of mind, ensuring you don’t miss out on your desired destinations.

Travel advisors recommend considering hotel-only bookings for flexibility and availability, as many customized holiday packages may no longer be feasible due to the shortening booking window. If you’re planning to travel abroad, be sure to check government travel advisories and ensure all necessary documentation, such as visas or health certificates, are in order. Government websites remain the best source for up-to-date information on travel restrictions and requirements.

Conclusion

As the year draws to a close, the travel for holidays has started to come in, bringing in more business than what was expected. Even though the rest of the first parts of the year were tough, travel agencies were having close-in bookings and more availability, thus being set to end, in a good place. For customers wishing to travel and those wishing to consider travel, now is the time to plan everything ahead, to beat the rush and ensure availability.