DESTINATIONS 2022 TRENDS | ESCORTED TOURS exper expert ASK THE ABOVE: Mad Monkey Hostel, Phnom Penh, Cambodia PICTURE: G Adventures


GOING SOLO Meanwhile, solo tours are on the increase for the same reason, with high demand to travel individually within the safety of a group. “Exploring the world solo as


part of an escorted tour provides individuals with the perfect blend of adventure and security,” says Titan Travel’s head of trade sales, Edwina Coppock. “An escorted solo tour provides companionship and the opportunity to share travel moments with fellow like-minded travellers as well as moments where guests can explore freely as an individual.” To meet demand, Titan has added


solo departures for some of its most popular escorted tours, including California and the Golden West, and Southern Sights and Sounds. While young adults on gap


years have been the traditional solo traveller, a new wave of intrepid wanderer is beginning to dominate the market – the over-50 female traveller. Prior to the pandemic, 73% of Titan’s solo travellers were female. Coppock says: “No


travelweekly.co.uk


longer is solo travel a brave and risky experience for women, but a liberating, exciting and fulfilling one.” This trend of maturer travellers


setting off solo is echoed by G Adventures. “Many travellers aged 60 and above are opting for our Marine-style trips, which include our expeditions in the polar regions and river cruising in the Amazon and the Mekong,” says Brian Young.


FARTHER AFIELD Once the coast is clear, long-haul travel is set to rebound fast, though with pandemic restrictions rumbling on this is now likely to be in 2023. Destinations and journeys that have been off the agenda – Australia, Latin America and safaris, to name a few – will be particularly sought-after. “Our booking data shows that


UK travellers are feeling confident to book those longer-haul trips as well,” says Young. “In January, we saw uptake for destinations across South and Central America, with Costa Rica, Peru and the Galápagos among the favourites.”


In line with the trend for once- in-a-lifetime trips when restrictions have fully lifted, Wendy Wu Tours’ all-encompassing 23-day Hidden Treasures of New Zealand tour recently made it on to The Times’ ‘ultimate trips for 2022’ shortlist. G Adventures is also expecting a boom in interest for bucket-list trips to Japan. Though both New Zealand and Japan are still closed to visitors, and Asia tours are unlikely to return to normal until September, the demand for these destinations remains strong, with operators reporting future interest in trips to southeast Asia in particular. Titan Travel says its Wild Borneo and Essential Vietnam & Cambodia escorted tours are among its bestsellers and the region remains a favourite with solo travellers. Above all, escorted touring is


emerging from the pandemic more adaptable than ever. And with such a diverse range of journeys, there really is something to ease everyone back into travelling again.


TW 10 FEBRUARY 2022 37


“Our introduction of a single-centre European tour portfolio based in lesser- explored areas of mainstream destinations matches the trend for short-haul travel – and adds the peace of mind of staying in one hotel throughout. “The focus is on exploring the little-known locales of sometimes better-known destinations. They are often the best-kept secrets of our near-neighbours in Europe and are brimming with individual culture and beauty. “Uniquely, guests will be based in a single location, staying at one hotel and exploring from a fixed point. “We understand that some


destinations need to be taken at a slower pace and we have a range of tours specifically dedicated to giving the time to truly experience each place with the help of a local guide. “These adventures are all about immersing oneself in the local culture and getting to the heart of a destination.”


Kerry Golds group managing director, Cox & Kings


PICTURE: A Tyler Photography


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