Scottish agents report upturn in bookings after nation's World Cup exit

Scottish travel agents reported an increase in bookings following Scotland’s elimination from the World Cup. After the national team’s final group match, a defeat to Brazil on Wednesday in Miami ended the tournament just before many schools broke up for summer on Thursday or Friday. Barrhead Travel said bookings across its Scottish stores rose 12% in the days after that last game, suggesting fans redirected football budgets into travel. Independent agencies reported similar momentum, with Love To Travel’s Joanne Martin citing more family enquiries and CK Travel Trade’s Chris Stark-Proctor describing business as “booming,” including potential further sales because customers now have time off. Border Travel’s Gary Jardine said the Dumfries shop sold World Cup trips combining Miami and Orlando, and flight departures were up 27% week-on-week, according to Advantage Travel Partnership.