Stag parties seek last-minute savings

The average stag party might take weeks of planning and careful research, but it seems cash-strapped revellers are leaving it late to their finalise their bookings.

According to online holiday firm youtravel.com, more than a fifth of all reservations are made within just four weeks of departure as tourists seek to snap up last-minute deals at knockdown prices.

Despite the doom and gloom, the company found that stag parties and holidaymakers are determined to get away this year, with overall bookings for the first half of June up 15 per cent.

Commenting on the figures, Darren McCormick, head of aviation at holiday bookings company Travel Counsellors, said the results are indicative of the current trend across the industry.

"We are seeing a rise in late bookings as customers tend to be holding onto their money for longer and booking nearer [the] time of departure," he said.

Mr McCormick added that this could prove an effective tactic, as there are currently "more last-minute deals around than ever before".