Holidaymakers seeking sun after soggy summer
This summer has left a lasting impression as one of the gloomiest in recent memory, with July having the dubious title of being the rainiest month on record. In response to the dismal weather, large numbers of Cork holidaymakers have been seeking last-minute getaways to sunnier destinations.
Travel companies are seeing strong bookings from people hoping to escape the soggy Cork climate in the coming weeks. And who could blame them?
Met Éireann reported that its Moore Park station in Fermoy recorded 150.1mm of rain in July, that’s a massive 242% above average. While Cork Airport saw 145.2mm of rain, the Roches Point station in East Cork recorded rainfall that was 216% above average for July.
Janet Quinlan from Barter’s Travelnet in Cork has said that they have seen a surge in last-minute interest from sun-seekers.
“We’ve certainly seen an increase in enquiries. September, in particular, has seen a lot of interest last-minute breaks. While prices have increased this year, we have had a very busy June and August, with bookings definitely up on last year.”
She also said that the bad summer we are currently experiencing is influencing people’s decisions to make a last-minute dash to the sun. “For people looking for deals at the moment, the weather is definitely a factor.”
And for those hoping to snap up a bargain, Janet says that there still are deals available. “Majorca, the south of Spain and the Canary Islands are the places people would get a deal at the moment. But generally, the closer you get to the date, the more expensive it’s going to get,” she said.
With Met Éireann’s long-term forecast indicating that low-pressure systems are set to dominate our weather in the coming weeks, a trip to the sun could be the antidote for summer blues.
Cork Airport's Communications Manager, Barry Holland, said that there has been a significant increase in passenger numbers this season. “We are experiencing an incredibly busy summer this year. Last week, we reported our busiest July since 2008 and passenger numbers for August 2023 are currently 15% ahead of August 2022.
“We anticipate that 2023 will be the busiest year in our history for international travel,” he said.
And while the weather isn't the sole reason for the high passenger numbers, inclement summer has certainly played its part in contributing to the trend.
“It would be inaccurate to say that the weather is the main factor for the high level of passenger numbers, however the poor weather that we have experienced this summer is no doubt a contributing factor,” he added.