The holidays are one of the pleasures of life, and the numbers speak for themselves: 75% of Italians traveled for holidays this year, with an average budget of 1,233 euros per person. But there is a figure that invites reflection: 8% of those who purchased a trip this summer paid in installments, and a further 8% who had to pay upfront or via the advance-and-balance option would have preferred to spread out the expense.
A growing trend that answers real needs
The desire to defer holiday payments is not a whim, but a real necessity felt by an ever-broader segment of Italians. More than one in four would consider the Buy Now Pay Later option to organize their vacations, a sign of how approaches to managing the family budget have evolved.
Interest in this payment method varies significantly across generations. The Millennials and the Gen X remain the most inclined to travel, while families with children see installment payments as a concrete help to lighten the costs of a vacation that, when traveling with several people, can become especially burdensome. The Gen Z, on the other hand, is clear in its intent: they want to use these solutions to increase the duration and frequency of trips, turning the dream of traveling into an increasingly accessible reality.
The findings from the HeyLight focus on: Travel study confirm this scenario. 26% of respondents would have liked to pay a little at a time for the vacation. But the most interesting data concerns those who book high-end packages well in advance, where the percentage rises to 37%, and those who rely on agencies and tour operators, with a significant 42%.
HeyLight, Compass Bank’s flexible solution
It is in this context that HeyLight appears, Compass Bank’s new payment and credit solution designed specifically for the world of travel. Its operation is simple and immediate. Travelers can divide amounts up to 5,000 euros into a maximum of 12 installments, with the first amount deferred by 30 days. The flexibility is total, with the option to debit from a checking account or credit and debit card with just a few clicks.
“The flexibility of our solution translates into a highly customizable experience,” explains Luca Lambertini, HeyLight Director at Compass Bank. “The customer can choose the number of installments, the amount, the debit method, and the channel. An approach designed for smart travelers who want to enjoy their holidays with complete freedom, even in terms of purchases.”
Integration with BluVacanze: the future is multichannel
The collaboration between HeyLight and BluVacanze demonstrates in concrete terms how new payment methods can make the booking process easier and more enjoyable. The service is accessible through all channels: from the website to physical agencies, up to the Blu&cluB app, which is becoming the reference point for a growing community of travel enthusiasts.
“Offering more digital payment solutions to users is a must in both retail and online services,” notes Marco Orlandi, Chief Digital Consumer Experience Officer of the BluVacanze Group. One statistic is telling: over 70% of online carts are abandoned, and one of the main reasons is precisely the absence of the preferred payment method. The HeyLight integration responds exactly to this need, reducing friction in the purchase and expanding the target audience.
The entirely digital management of travel arrangements, combined with the possibility of deferring payment, creates a smooth and worry-free experience from booking to returning home.
Travel better, not only more
But what truly drives Italians to choose Buy Now Pay Later for vacations? It’s not just about “being able to go.” A notable finding from the research shows that 60% of those who view the service positively would use it to treat themselves to something extra during the vacation. We’re talking about extending the stay by a few days, traveling more often during the year, or opting for higher-value, higher-quality services.
In other words, deferred payment isn’t seen as a fallback solution but as a tool to improve the overall travel experience. Being able to manage the budget with greater flexibility means the freedom to choose that sea-view room, add an extra excursion, or simply avoid worrying during the trip.
Security and transparency are other fundamental elements: with HeyLight everything is clear from the start, with no hidden costs or unpleasant surprises. The traveler knows exactly how much and when they will pay, enabling them to plan their budget with peace of mind.
A new era for Italian tourism
The success of Buy Now Pay Later in the travel sector reflects a genuine shift in the model of how Italians organize and experience their holidays. The ability to stagger payments is democratizing access to high-quality travel experiences, allowing more people to realize their dreams without giving up experiences.
The integration of solutions like HeyLight into the most-used booking platforms by Italians shows that the tourism sector has understood the importance of offering flexibility and personalization, so traveling without worries is no longer a privilege for a few, but a real possibility for everyone.
Disclaimer
Promotional message with promotional purposes HeyLight is a registered trademark of Compass Banca S.p.A. and identifies several installment payment solutions: A) The free payment deferral granted to consumers, subject to assessment, by sellers of goods and services with whom Compass Banca S.p.A. has signed an agreement for the assignment of pro-soluto credits (factoring). Complete conditions applicable to the deferral are available from the goods and services sellers. Factoring contract Information Sheets are available on compass.it, HeyLight.com, at Compass Banca S.p.A. branches or with financial agents operating as single-mandate credit intermediaries or with exclusive product mandate of Compass Banca S.p.A.. Subject to approval by Compass Banca S.p.A.. B) The loan granted to consumers, subject to approval, directly by Compass Banca S.p.A.. Economic and contractual conditions are available on the compass.it site, HeyLight.com and with sellers, partnered with or without exclusivity with Compass Banca S.p.A.. C) In addition, the HeyLight brand has been licensed for use to Holipay S.r.l., an Italian company based at Viale Ortigara, 7/9 Milano Marittima (RA) Registered with the RA Chamber of Commerce Tax Code and VAT number 16090851003. The technological service offered by Holipay is designed for hoteliers to automate and schedule the flow of deposits through a software as a service integrated with a payment gateway service. The use of the service is subject to terms and conditions heylight.com/it/it/viaggi-turismo.
