A desire for “real” experiences and value for money amid economic uncertainty will shape travel patterns in 2017, Kuoni predicts.
The operator’s Worldwide Trends report lists the rise of experiential travel among shifts for this year, while concerns over the fall in the value of the pound have led to a spike in interest for all-inclusive holidays, the long-haul specialist found.
Derek Jones, Kuoni’s managing director, said booking patterns in January and February enabled Kuoni to see what patterns were emerging.
“It’s clear that value for money is one of the key drivers for 2017 regardless of how big or small people’s travel budget is,” he said, adding that the industry was being creative “like never before” in offering “everything from stargazing platforms to dining for two on a private sandbank.
“Travel has never been more exciting,” he added.
There may be some clouds on the horizon, however. Kuoni believes currency fluctuations and general confidence will be affected when Article 50 is invoked in March and the process of leaving the EU begins.
It also suggests Donald Trump’s views on relations with Cuba, Mexico and the Middle East could affect travel patterns. However, Jones believes that despite “one of the most turbulent political periods I’ve seen in my lifetime”, the public’s thirst for travel is “still very much there”.
Meanwhile, the Maldives has retained its crown as Kuoni’s biggest seller and the operator believes that its appeal is now extended beyond just being a “fly and flop” destination.
Kuoni hopes the islands’ family appeal will increase even further after it was used as a film location for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, with “set jetting” another trend to watch in 2017.
