Many Type A travellers plan their trips months in advance, but there’s a more laid-back type of tripper who prefers to leave it until the very last minute to book a holiday.
A new study has revealed the most popular destinations for last-minute vacations – that’s trips booked within just seven days before arriving.
Hotel management system company Sirvoy looked at its customer base of independent hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses, hostels and holiday rentals to reveal where the most last-minute accommodation bookings take place worldwide.
It then examined the proportion of accommodation booked within a week of check-in and the percentage of bookings made on the same or next day as check-in to create a ranking.
Among the top 10 are four destinations in Europe – Norway, Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden.
It was countries far further away that took the top spots, though, with Thailand, the Philippines and Australia making up the top three.
“Travellers are embracing spontaneity when booking their next vacation, with every destination in the top 10 seeing more than half of its accommodation bookings made within seven days of check-in,” Nichlas Linderborg, Chief Customer Officer of Sirvoy, said.
Here’s what the ranking revealed.
Asia reigns supreme for last-minute bookings
With summer drawing to a close, many of us are craving that peak season heat, so it’s little surprise that Thailand is the most popular last-minute holiday destination.
The Asian nation saw 74.8% of accommodation bookings made within seven days of check-in and 56.8% on the next or same day.
If you’re keen to head to Thailand any time soon, be warned that it’s currently monsoon season, so the hot weather and low prices may well be accompanied by plenty of rainfall.
That’s the same case in the Philippines too, which takes second place in the ranking.
Last-minute bookings here account for 71.7% of all accommodation reservations, although it’s likely to be rainy until at least October.
In Australia, it may only be early spring, but temperatures in Sydney alone are already well into the 20s. That suggests that the 61.2% of those booking accommodation last minute will be able to enjoy the culture, swimming and surfing in very pleasant weather.
Mexico, which boasts rich history and pristine beaches, is fourth in the ranking, with 59.7% of bookings made within seven days of check-in, while New Zealand comes in fifth place.
Australia’s neighbour has 58.3% of accommodation bookings made within seven days ahead of arrival and is a year-round destination, thanks to its stunning natural beauty.
For sixth place, it’s back to Asia with Indonesia, where 55.8% of bookings were found to be made last-minute.
The rest of the top 10 is rounded out by European nations, all known for their vast amount of outdoor activities, if not clement weather.
Norway is in seventh place, with 53.8% of bookings less than a week out, and 39.1% made the day before or on the day of travel.
That’s 53.3% and 31.8% for Finland, which ranks eighth.
Next up is the Netherlands in ninth, with 52.3% of week-ahead bookings and 33.9% of absolutely last-minute trips booked.
Rounding out the top 10 is Sweden, where last-minute bookings account for 51.9% of all trips, and 30.9% of travellers book the day before arrival or on the day itself.