p9 news feb26 24/2/10 19:57 Page 9
ttglive.com
kuoni holiday report 2010 news
Kuoni has replaced its traditional long-haul report with two studies looking at the psychology
behind holidays and which destinations are this year’s hotspots. Katherine Lawrey reports
Holidays change
Beating recession
blues at the beach
lives, says Kuoni
THE RECESSION has boosted the popularity of
the classic beach holiday, according to the Kuoni
Travel Trends Report. Managing director Joanna
Edmunds said Kuoni’s customers were currently
RESEARCH by Kuoni has revealed that more than favouring beach breaks over city and activity
half of life’s big decisions are made on holiday breaks in a quest to recharge their batteries.
– and travel agents can have a “massive” impact “The relaxation part of a holiday has become
on people’s lives by making sure the decisions more important in the past 12 months,” she said.
are taken in the right environment. The Kuoni survey asked whether it was more
The operator delved into the psyche of holiday- important to holiday in a recession, and 72% of
makers when it surveyed more than 2,000 respondents agreed that it was. “Many people
UK households about their work harder in a recession,” Edmunds explained.
behaviour for its Kuoni Holiday Recharging batteries was the most popular
Report 2010. reason for 55 to 64-year-olds to holiday in a
Kuoni’s managing director recession, while the need to cheer themselves up
Joanna Edmunds told TTG that was the main reason for the 35-44 age group.
the survey results indicated
that holidays were often
life-changing experiences, so Kuoni Holiday Report: Key findings
agents’ roles were crucial. ■ Almost three-quarters (74%) agreed that
“Our research underlines the than half of respondents said “holidays could make or break relationships”
importance of holidays and they had made a major change ■ Around a third (32%) were unable to endure
getting it right,” said Edmunds. in their life as a result of a holi- a holiday without Facebook, Twitter or other
“When a travel agent helps day discussion. These changes social networking sites
their customer find the right included getting engaged, ■ Work-life balance was the hottest topic of
environment for these holiday discussions to deciding to start or add to a family, changing conversation on holiday (41%)
take place, it can have a massive impact on careers or even ending a relationship. ■ The top reason (52%) given for booking a
people’s lives going forward.” Psychotherapist and health writer Christine holiday early was having more time to look
Edmunds added: “What came out strongly Webber, who helped present the findings, said forward to it
from the survey is just how stressful modern life that a holiday was often a make or break time for ■ 72% agreed that a holiday was more
is. The travel agent has a valuable role to play in a relationship. important during a recession
navigating the stress of booking a holiday.” “The busiest times for counselling service
Kuoni’s research showed just how many of Relate are actually January and September, after Top 10 destinations (change on 2009)
life’s big decisions are made on holiday. More two major holiday periods,” she said. 1. Maldives (no change)
2. Thailand (no change)
3. USA (no change)
Where’s hot for long-haul now
4. Sri Lanka (up two places)
5. Egypt (down one place)
6. Malaysia (up two places)
INDIA, Oman, Indonesia and Cuba are the Kenya and Mauritius dropped out of the top 7. United Arab Emirates (down two places)
destinations predicted to make a breakthrough 10, with China and Hong Kong a new entry at 8. China & Hong Kong (new entry)
this year, according to long-haul specialist Kuoni. number eight and Singapore at number 10. 9. Switzerland (down two places)
These destinations have yet to make it into Kuoni said it had seen an improvement in the 10. Singapore (new entry)
Kuoni’s list of its 10 most popular long-haul early-booking market, thanks to special offers.
countries, but this could soon change, as book- Other trends identified included a desire by Top wedding Top solo travel
ings are gaining momentum. holidaymakers to “get under the skin of a country, destinations destinations
Its Holiday Report 2010, which has replaced to engage with locals or traditional and authentic 1. Sri Lanka 1. Thailand
its annual long-haul report, reveals the best-sell- experiences unique to the destination”. 2. USA 2. Maldives
ing destinations for the 2010 season to date. The top wedding destination is Sri Lanka, 3. Mauritius 3. Sri Lanka
The Maldives, Thailand and the US have main- while the Maldives is first for honeymooners. 4. St Lucia 4. Switzerland
tained their top three places, but Sri Lanka and 5. Thailand 5. Egypt
Malaysia have moved up the list. ■ Derek Jones comment, p14
26.02.2010 09
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52