National celebrations create New Year sales boost

Despite the excesses of Christmas, online travel giant lastminute.com has seen an increase in the number of people booking holidays to coincide with popular National holiday celebrations.

With Burns Night and Australia Day falling on the 25 and 26 January respectively, people are using these days as an opportunity to book a holiday and continue celebrating.

Bookings to Scotland are up more than 30% as thousands flock to take part in the Burns Night celebrations, largely considered the first real party of the year. Many Brits will make the decision to fall off the wagon in favour of a traditional menu of Scottish Whiskey and Haggis.

A spokesperson for Visit Scotland said: "Scotland offers a great year round programme of events and festivals. And January is no exception. With Celtic Connections and events all over the country marking the birth of our national bard, Robert Burns - it's no wonder bookings are up more than 30%."

And even long haul destinations such as Australia are benefiting from Brits re-toxing, with bookings up more than 15% compared to this time last year, as Brits seek out the party atmosphere as well as wanting to soak up some well needed winter sun down under.

John Bevan, lastminute.com Managing Director said: “Despite all the usual January detox talk, this year it seems people are keen to continue the celebrations. Whether at home or abroad, International bank holidays are the perfect excuse to indulge or in most cases ditch the diet, but they are also a great opportunity to book a holiday and learn and experience how different cultures celebrate their heritage.”

The trend to celebrate other well known bank holidays looks set to continue, with lastminute.com anticipating bookings to increase to countries such as Canada and Ireland to commemorate Maple Day and St Patrick’s Day.