PENSIONERS are said to be helping fuel a record boom in sales for a Wirral travel agency.

Hays Travel North West, which has shops in Bebington, Birkenhead, Ellesmere Port, Heswall, Moreton, Prenton, Wallasey, and West Kirby has reported that sales are up by 30% this month.

The demand is said to be at its highest in the North West Branches as grandparents are funding family holidays.

Don Bircham, Managing Director of Hays Travel North West, said: “One couple have spent over £40,000 to take the whole family away and we’ve had a number of sales worth £25,000-plus.

“These high-value bookings to quality destinations are often being funded by grandparents who want to share a holiday with their sons and daughters and their children.

“They’re still fit and healthy and probably thinking they’d rather spend it on a once-in-a-lifetime experience they can enjoy together with their whole family than possibly seeing it go on care home fees in a few years time.

“Luxury holidays in Florida are one of the most popular along with destinations like the Maldives, the Caribbean, Australia, and New Zealand and on the long haul flights, many are upgrading from economy to business class.

“The whole industry is really taking off again. People have had to stay at home for the last two years because of the pandemic and now they’re keen to travel again.

“Cruise is bouncing back strongly and we’ve got lots of great value late deals and family packages

“This August has been phenomenally busy with all the usual hotspots in high demand but the most popular this year has been Turkey which has so much to offer beyond a beach holiday and where the Turkish lira offers such fantastic value as well.”

Earlier this summer there were reports of problems at major airports with delays caused by a shortage of baggage-handling staff but Don, a regular flier, said these issues have been mainly resolved now.

Queues are down and demand is up and Don, who lives in Padeswood and opened his first shop in Mold in 2000, added: “Airports have been able to recruit and any shortages have largely been resolved now and our customers, the majority of whom fly from Manchester, are reporting few issues.

“Liverpool John Lennon Airport has in fact been a shining star among airports with very little disruption or inconvenience for customers.

“We’re expecting it to stay busy through September and October when couples like to go away and then we’re expecting another boom in January when the cold weather and long dark nights get people thinking about sunshine again.”