First minute travel: Czech agencies are already selling summer 2027 trips

Czech travel agencies are already selling package holidays for summer 2027, with bookings starting unusually early as travelers seek discounts, greater choice and certainty over next year’s vacation costs.

Demand for “first minute” packages is approximately 10 percent higher than a year ago, according to travel companies. Early-booking discounts generally range from 15 to 25 percent, although prices fluctuate with demand and cannot always be compared with a fixed catalog rate.

The early sales come as more Czechs travel abroad but aviation costs face renewed pressure. Jet fuel prices have increased by about one-third over the past three months, according to Czech Television, potentially affecting the price of holidays booked later.

Major Czech tour operators began introducing their summer 2027 offers as early as August. Greece, Spain, Turkey and Egypt remain among the most popular destinations, alongside Italy, Croatia, Bulgaria and Tunisia.

The principal advantage is not necessarily the advertised discount, industry representatives say, but the ability to secure a particular hotel, departure date or room category before the most desirable options sell out.

That is especially important for families restricted to school holidays or seeking family rooms, children’s clubs, all-inclusive service and hotels with aquaparks.

“First minute is no longer just about price, but above all about being able to choose exactly the holiday clients want,” DERTOUR spokesperson Jan Bezděk said in a statement. The group operates the Fischer and EXIM Tours brands.

Smaller islands and less familiar destinations may also appear earlier in the season as agencies finalize charter flights and hotel allocations. Early demand helps operators determine where to add capacity, potentially moderating later price increases.

Kateřina Chaloupková of the Association of Czech Travel Agencies and Tour Operators told Czech Radio that foreign accommodation providers encourage early sales by offering discounts that Czech agencies can pass on to customers.

Despite their name, first minute offers do not guarantee that a trip will be cheaper than every later promotion. Most operators now use dynamic pricing rather than printed catalogs, meaning rates change according to demand, available flights and remaining hotel capacity.

Some agencies guarantee that their initial offer will be the lowest available price, while others provide benefits such as reduced deposits, free cancellation or the option to change the traveler, hotel or destination. The precise conditions vary and should be checked before booking.

Fuel prices are another consideration because air travel represents a substantial portion of a package holiday’s cost. While current prices are already reflected in offers, no one can reliably predict whether fuel will become cheaper or more expensive before next summer.

Travelers booking nearly a year ahead should also examine cancellation conditions carefully. Around three-quarters of clients purchasing packages through ERGO Cestovní Pojišťovna add cancellation coverage, according to the insurer. Its average cancellation claim exceeded CZK 28,000 last year.

Coverage does not automatically apply whenever a traveler changes their mind. Policies generally specify accepted reasons, such as serious illness, hospitalization, pregnancy complications, caring for a close relative or losing a job, and may require the customer to pay part of the loss.

Early booking therefore offers the clearest benefit to travelers with fixed dates or specific accommodation requirements. Those primarily seeking the lowest possible price still face a familiar gamble: book now for choice and predictability, or wait and hope unsold capacity produces a better last-minute deal.