Growing agent, tour operator influence among travel trends to expect in 2011
As the Internet influence wanes because of information overload, agents and tour operators will see a resurgence of influence in the future, predicts Cox & Kings, the longest-established travel company in the world in their predicted travel trends of 2011.
“While once a great resource for travel information, the Internet has become so oversaturated with non-relevant information that sorting through the mass of travel sites, reader reviews and booking engines has made booking exceptional travel experiences a dicey process at best,” said Thomas Stanley, the COO of the Tampa-based company that claims 250 years of travel experience.
This paired with more specialized and specific requests by the traveler has caused a resurgence in working with tour operators and travel agents. Some other trends:
—-Because travelers want to get the most out of their vacations, there has been an uptick in multi-destination vacations. Said Stanley: “With new air routes coming on board such as LAN’s route between Lima and Iguassu, visiting two countries in one trip is more convenient than ever, affording travelers the opportunity to experience exactly what they want from a combination of countries.” Group tours are what many travelers are looking for to visit exotic sites at a lower price. “Group tours provide a more value-driven travel option without compromising the once-in-a lifetime travel experience,” he said.
—Learning experiences are another trend. “The popularity of educational travel will continue to thrive in 2011,” he predicted. ”Demand has increased for specialized learning experiences – everything from sushi-making in Japan to photography excursions in Argentina. People want to come away with a strong emotional connection with a destination and bring back more than just memories, but a skill they can actually use from a vacation.”
—Luxury trains should be another popular activity. Said Stanley: “A number of new luxury trains have launched in the past year, causing a renewed interest in rail travel that will increase throughout 2011. Rail travel is an easy and comfortable way to maximize travel time, allowing travelers to see a large number of sites without having to pack up and fly or drive between these locations.”
—Still another trend is experiential family travel. “The face of the family vacation is changing and they are extending far beyond a week-long island refuge. The demand for hands-on experiences that focus on learning and doing as opposed to just seeing will increase in 2011,” he said.
Stanley’s top destination picks for the future include Libya, Zimbabwe, Lebanon, Colombia and Jordan.
Founded in 1758, Cox & Kings is the world’s most enduring travel brand, according to the company.
By David Wilkening
David
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