The strong lates market, which many travel firms are banking on for surviva,l is showing signs of materialising, according to accommodation-only specialist Youtravel.com.

The bed bank claims a fifth of its bookings are for travel within four weeks, suggesting that late bookings will come in and customers are not willing to forgo their summer holiday entirely.

The claims may present a glimmer of hope to those who fear that a surplus of unsold stock would lead to “massive discounting” in the coming weeks.

Youtravel said its June bookings were 15% up year-on-year, with Rhodes and Crete perhaps surprisingly showing the strongest growth, ahead of non-euro destinations.

Other destinations selling well include Turkey, Portugal and Tunisia, while good all-inclusive offers are helping the Costa del Sol to perform strongly.

Youtravel sales and marketing director Paul Riches said customers were also looking for deals in the late shoulder season of September and October, but he was confident that the peak season would still come good.

“Consumers, including families, are leaving it later to book due to financial uncertainty and the hope for better deals nearer to departure,” he said.

“This is an important sign that there is further recovery to come for the peak months of July and August.

In our minds, there is no doubt that booking levels will continue to grow in the next few weeks, even before the peak season hits us.”

• Aito: Spain banks on UK in lates market (15 Jun 2009)