exper 5 OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
With little to do during lockdown except take long walks through the woods or cycle rides through the countryside, many of us are embracing a more active, outdoor lifestyle, and that’s showing through in our holiday preferences as well. Intrepid Travel’s EMEA managing director Zina Bencheikh says: “Our cycling trips have been very popular this year, with many clients who weren’t able to travel abroad opting for an active break in the UK. We’re seeing this trend continuing into 2021 and we’ll be adding to our range of UK and Europe cycling breaks in the coming months. For the safety-conscious, cycling offers natural social distancing and lots of time outdoors, plus it’s one of the most eco-friendly ways to see the world.” Popular choices for next year include the Lake District (pictured), Vietnam, Jordan and Morocco, along with nature-focused adventures in the Galápagos and Costa Rica, and bucket-list trips such as trekking in Nepal or cruises in Antarctica.
experts ASK THE
Matt Brazier, head of marketing, Experience Travel Group, and Asia spokesman for Pata UK & Ireland “There has been a significant shift in gear as travellers opt for ‘slow travel’. Our tour operator members have
commented on how the traditional multi-centre approach to Pacific Asia is changing – they’ll be single-destination trips, so once you’re there, you’re there.”
Tricia Birmingham, trading director, Gold Medal
“We’re noticing an increase in the average value of new bookings; in some destinations we have seen a double- digit percentage increase for 2021. Agents are telling us customers want to trade up their hotel or the length of their holiday to ‘compensate’ for not going away this year. We’re also seeing a marked increase in package sales, from 48% this year to 77% in 2021.”
Helen Adamson, managing director, Citalia
“Customers are going for slightly longer and slightly more upscale holidays, because they’re wanting more space.
People will go for fewer holidays but [they will be] longer and more expensive, getting off the beaten track and trying new things out.”
Andrea Godfrey, product manager, Regent Holidays
“People are looking ahead further than they might have done before. We are finding our clients are inclining largely towards destinations perceived as being remote
or ‘far flung’, where they can enjoy wide open spaces and experience natural wonders.”
6 DOMESTIC DEMAND
If one good thing has come from the pandemic, it’s a newfound appreciation of how much beauty we have on our doorstep. Holidaymakers who would normally flock to far-flung destinations have rediscovered the UK’s rolling countryside, coastal towns or quirky hotels. Chris Cundall, director of trade relations at Great Little Breaks, says: “When the announcement came that hotels were reopening on July 4, the demand for UK breaks was astonishing. During August and September, we saw our biggest- ever booking months, with agents delivering over 50% of the business.” The trade can continue to capitalise on domestic demand next year, with Jet2 and Loganair adding capacity to Jersey, more specialist product such as UK rail trips from Arena Rail Holidays, and operators such as Cosmos, Kuoni and Explore expanding their UK programmes.
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17 DECEMBER 2020
travelweekly.co.uk
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