USA pips Italy to the top spot in Titan Travel’s first ever Travel Trends report for the escorted tours and cruise market

Pipping Italy to the top spot the USA takes pole position in Titan Travel’s (www.titantravel.co.uk, 0800 988 5873), first ever travel trends report focusing purely on the growing escorted tours and cruise holiday market.
 
With over 40 years’ experience in this holiday sector, Titan has leveraged its heritage and expertise to analyse the results of its 429 tours and cruises. It has consulted with its expert product team, as well as media and industry insiders, and taken an up-close look at the state of the market in 2019, and beyond, to consider where its customers are going and what appear to be the key trends in their decision-making process*. 

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In the 20-page report the USA has bounced back to take the top spot from perennial favourite Italy, with the diversity of its product seen as a key factor. The operator’s Southern Sights and Sounds tour has, for the first time, overtaken Titan’s California and the Golden West itinerary as its most popular US tour, with the charm of the southern states proving a draw away from the west coast*.
 
Emerging destinations Armenia, Georgia and Uzbekistan are also tempting the more adventurous who want to see the world and have the time and money to do so in style. Whilst Titan reports a resurgence of escorted holidays to Egypt after seeing it jump up some 21 places compared to its figures for last year*, suggesting customers are feeling more confident to travel to the North African country as part of a group. Surprisingly, Norway has fallen down five places in comparison to 2018, although cruise-based holidays to the country’s magnificent fjords have seen a spike of interest going into the New Year.
 
Andy Squirrell, Managing Director, Titan Travel, comments, “We are happy to reveal the results of our first-ever Titan trends report. This report takes a really in-depth look into how the landscape of escorted touring is changing. We know our customers and when it comes to destinations and experiences it’s important that we share our expertise, so they can always make an informed decision”.
Further highlights of the report include:

• The hot list which gives an insight into the up-and-coming destinations for the year across land-based tours plus ocean and river cruises.
  • Titan points to the popularity of Joanna Lumley’s ITV series Silk Road and the demand for ‘off the beaten track’ destinations as the drivers for interest in Uzbekistan and Armenia & Georgia.
  • While tours in Central America are up by over 90% *as the destination is finally being recognised as safe and fulfilling. But with public transportation still limited escorted tours are an ideal way for travellers to easily cover the highlights.
  • Vietnam is surging in popularity, with travellers looking for anything from a week-long trip to a much longer, all-encompassing tour and Kenya has once again overtaken South Africa with customers happy to travel around the country to its wildlife-filled parks and reserves for a full safari experience.
  • Closer-to-home destinations such as Switzerland have seen demand increase by 40% *, with customers lured by the spectacular mountain scenery and Titan notes, despite its reputation as an expensive destination prices have remained relatively stable year on year, while the fact that Switzerland is outside the Euro appears to offers peace of mind with Brexit looming.
  • Cyprus’ small size is making it well suited to an escorted holiday, giving travellers the opportunity to combine historic sites and mountain towns with relaxed days on the beach. While Titan sees the trends for UK staycations (particularly as a second holiday) showing no sign of slowing, with UK short breaks seeing steady increases since 2015. They also highlight that UK holidays over the festive period are particularly popular, giving customers the chance to enjoy a stress-free Christmas in the company of like-minded fellow travellers.

• The Cruise hot list notes that ‘soft adventure’ travel has never been more popular with the over 50s market, particularly for cruising, where the age demographic is already in the mature bracket.
  • The reports highlights that luxury cruises to more exotic destinations has seen an increase, especially in East and South-East Asia which is offering a more culturally rich experience. To make the most of the distance Titan say they almost always add a couple of extra nights before or after the sailing to maximise the experience, regardless of the cruise line a customer selects.
  • The demand for flights from regional airports is also on the rise offering more flexibility for Titan’s customers and the operator notes this is particularly true for travellers opting to join their European river cruises, helped by airlines operating routes directly into cruise departure cities. Customers still benefit from Titan’s door-to-door travel service no matter what airport they fly from and can transfer directly to the ship on arrival.

• Emerging trends showcases the types of holidays that are proving popular within escorted tours.
  • Titan reports that more than half of solo travellers are interested in group tours and with the release of its first solos-dedicated brochure last year, Titan is seeing a trend trickle through in 2019 and 2020.
  • Titan also consulted industry experts such as cruise insider Jane Archer and she shares insight on the world of river and ocean cruises, reporting value is important: inclusions, tip-free cruises and no-fly options are top of the list.
  • Whilst Debbie Marshall from the mature traveller website, Silver Travel Advisor, noted that their members rank previous experience as the leading motivation to book a holiday with a particular company. But price for their members is not necessarily their main priority with an average spend of over £3,000 on holidays during the year.
  • With travel agent, Wendy from Wotton Travel noting that “constant offers and advertising for cruise holidays has led to a dramatic increase in enquiries for cruises. Price is the key element, although size of the ship is also an important aspect for customers”.

• Bouncing back demonstrates the countries that are creeping back onto everyone’s travel wish-list this year.
  • Titan’s Cuban Discovery has soared year-on-year, proving it is more than just a ‘fly-and-flop’ destination.
  • Meanwhile, China, Italy and USA are also on the up.
  • Since ‘Cruising with Jane McDonald’ hit the small screens last year, Titan’s Iceland’s Stunning Coastline cruise has seen a huge surge in popularity – particularly since Jane sailed on the very same ship used by Titan, MS Ocean Diamond.

• Key dates for your diary outlines some of the key events and anniversaries that are likely to be shaping the travel diary in 2019 and offers inspiration for an escorted tour with Titan.
  • For example, in May customers can honour the day, 500 years ago, when Leonardo da Vinci died and take time to linger over his works at a new exhibition in the Uffizi Galleries of Florence, whilst on the Treasures of Italy tour.
  • Or, customers on the operator’s Essence of Japan tour in September and October will have the opportunity to soak up the unique atmosphere surrounding the Rugby World Cup, which runs from mid-September to early November 2019.
  • Looking ahead, the operator has compiled a list of early indicators for 2020 with the Passion Play in Oberammergau, which only takes place once every 10 years, likely to be a big hitter. And as the National Trust celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2020 there are a range of Trust properties featured on Titan’s range of UK short breaks.

 
To view the full report, please visit https://www.titantravel.co.uk/travel-trend-report-2019
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For press and media information please contact Anthea Yabsley at IDeal PR on 0208 578 6777 [email protected]

For a link to images: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ylh6077de18z91c/AABxPHvhv1iQup92RyO4aAd4a?dl=0
*Data is based on the number of passengers sold as at December 2018 to depart in 2019 vs passengers sold as at December 2017 who travelled in 2018. 
Notes to editors
Titan has over 40 years of experience curating unforgettable travel moments, with more than 200 itineraries sprawling 70 countries and six continents.  Titan holidays are only on sale in the UK and Republic of Ireland and are all UK originating enabling them to be carefully and imaginatively crafted for the British holidaymaker.
 
Titan’s price promise protects early bookers, meaning customers are guaranteed the best price from the moment their deposit is paid. If Titan reduces the price after a booking has been made, it will contact customers to refund the difference in cash.
Those who book with Titan can choose to fly from their most convenient airport and still enjoy the same VIP door-to-door transfer service. The operator offers regional flights for customers in northern England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.
 
Tours feature schedule flights with world-renowned operators and excursions are included to attractions which are clearly highlights of a chosen region or country.