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The escorted touring sector is poised for its big comeback. Sasha Wood explores the key trends for 2022
DESTINATIONS 2022 TRENDS | ESCORTED TOURS
l
ong ago, the wealthy would fan out across Europe to the African and Asian continents on the classic Grand
Tour. Seen as a rite of passage for young aristos, they would venture to the romantic Balkans or Egyptian antiquities by road, rail and boat in safety and comfort with the services of a cicerone, or expert guide. Now times have obviously changed, but
the Grand Tour is having a renaissance of sorts. Even before Covid brought so much uncertainty to travel, escorted touring was the fastest-growing sector of the industry, according to specialists G Adventures and Wendy Wu Tours, and that trend is set to re-emerge as tourism restrictions ease. Research from Aito – The Specialist Travel Association shows people are turning to travel companies to book their next holiday more than ever before, with 61% looking for guidance and reassurance from a professional to navigate travel post-pandemic. Travellers are opting for longer and slower journeys closer to home, with the security of a guide on an escorted tour. Greener trips, seizing the day and savouring the moment are high on the agenda after two years of a pandemic. Some want to make up for lost family time, while others, particularly youngsters and empty-nesters, want to set off solo, and do it in a safe way.
FAMILIAR GROUND While there is appetite for long-haul trips in the future, in the short-term, travel agents report that customers are booking tours for familiar destinations such as Greece, the Canary Islands and Turkey. Pent-up demand is also prompting people to upgrade holidays and pick more luxurious options. Travellers want to test the waters
before venturing farther afield, but there’s another aspect to the trend for short-haul destinations. According to Sunvil sales and marketing manager Rachel Jelley, the pandemic has made people nostalgic for travel and led to a desire to revisit previous holiday destinations with a new adventurous or luxury twist. “Daydreaming about travel has been common throughout the pandemic. With plenty of time at home to look through old photographs and reminisce about past holidays, we are now seeing more and more people feeling nostalgic and wanting to revisit these destinations,” says Jelley. “There is, however, also a desire to do
more, and to make the most of their time, with people seeking to combine these trips down memory lane with something new.” Sunvil has noticed an increased appetite for longer, more complex trips offering ²
travelweekly.co.uk
10 FEBRUARY 2022
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