If you want to target the people making travel-purchasing decisions, women account for nearly 70 percent of all tour and multi-day bookings, according to WeTravel. At the same time, the average age of purchasers is maturing, up to about 40 years old in 2023, compared to 30 in 2019. The highest growth in travel bookings coming from the 40-55 age group, followed by the 61-plus age group.
Other findings from the “Purchasing Habits: The Future of Travel Bookings and Payments” trends report included the fact that nearly nine in 10 people are increasing their trip price by 10 percent or more in 2023, when compared to 2022. Nearly a quarter are paying 25 percent more than last year. And more than ever are people booking tours, add-ons or customizations to their trips—supplanting all-inclusive packages.
To assist with searching and booking flights, Amadeus this week integrated Cirium’s advanced flight schedules data into its Travel Platform solutions. By adding this information from the aviation analytics company, Amadeus will be able to offer an enhanced search and booking experience for its clients in the travel space, including airlines, travel providers and more.
Additionally, Allianz Partners USA has added an optional “Cancel Anytime” upgrade to its most popular plans, OneTrip Prime and OneTrip Premier, allowing customers to cancel their trip for almost any unforeseeable reason. The “Cancel Anytime” upgrade typically provides a reimbursement of up to 80 percent of lost non-refundable trip costs that their selected plan does not already cover (up to a maximum insured amount of $16,000).
Around the Globe
The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s New York and Toronto offices have announced the “Amazing Thailand Experience Forum,” a joint flagship project that will convene 60 luxury travel advisors from North America and more than 100 Thai suppliers, including luxury hotels, destination management companies and other top providers. The event is being held in Bangkok and Khao Lak (Phang Nga) from February 5-15, 2023.
In Latin America, tour operator Journeysmiths has hired a veteran product specialist to lead it’s growth in the region this year and beyond. Joanna Hussey, head of Latin America for Journeysmiths, has 20 years of travel industry experience, most recently having spent 10 years with Audley Travel as one of the company’s Latin America senior specialists. With Audley, Hussey helped train new team members, grow Latin America revenue by more than 50 percent and acquired a base of over 80 percent repeat clients.
Madrid has a busy year planned. One highlight will be the opening of the Gallery of Royal Collections, built in Madrid’s Royal Palace complex, this summer. This museum invites travelers to journey through the history of the Spanish monarchy and the artistic taste of each of its leaders. Other celebrations throughout the year include one dedicated to Pablo Picasso, who died 50 years ago this April, as well as a myriad of festivals from February to October.
In the States, central and southern Texas suffered thousands of canceled flights this week as ice storms brought air traffic to a near-halt. Airports in Dallas and Austin were most affected, but San Antonio and Houston also saw high levels of disruption. The airlines with the most cancelations were American and Southwest, along with regional carriers Envoy Air and SkyWest.
Although there isn’t much one can do about the weather, U.S. Travel Association says the government and industry need to fix the current air travel experience. A recent Ipsos Poll survey found just 13 percent of Americans would rate their overall air travel experience as “excellent,” while 45 percent rate it as average or below average. Crowds and congestion, flight delays or cancelations, airport security process and cumbersome travel logistics were the main contributors to a less-than-excellent travel experience.
U.S. Travel says the industry needs to leverage the 2022 Bipartisan Infrastructure Act to enable better traveler mobility options, such as by enacting more biometric experiences to “reimagine” the air travel experience.
Tip: If you’re looking for where to go in 2023, Signature Travel Network’s EVP Ignacio Maza has you covered. This week he shared his top destinations for this year, which include the likes of Kyoto, Bhutan, Qatar, Rwanda, Greenland and more.
Luxury Cruise News
Crystal Cruises will re-debut this summer as “Crystal – Exceptional at Sea,” when its ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, begin sailing the Mediterranean. Now under the guardianship of the A&K Travel Group, which acquired the brand and ships in June 2022. Crystal Serenity will sail on July 31 from Marseille, while Crystal Symphony is scheduled to depart September 1 from Athens.
Both ships are undergoing renovations to decrease room counts and increase the size of each stateroom and suite. In addition, both the spa and the gym are being revamped and a refreshed approach to entertainment and events programming has been developed. Shore excursions will be led by Abercrombie & Kent.
Insider Access: Luxury Travel Advisor is just back from Antarctica with Silversea. In the latest of our three-part series about the new Silver Endeavour and the “Antarctica Bridge” experience, we covered the expedition product—both aboard and ashore in the "White Continent."
Our thoughts? Nothing can really prepare cruise guests for the dramatic, spectacular natural beauty of Antarctica—and there’s no better way to take it in than with a luxury expedition cruise to provide all the comforts and enrichment you could need.
Calling All Travel Advisors
Nominations are now open for Travel Agent’s annual 30Under30—now in its 16th year. You may nominate yourself or pass the word along to a qualified candidate you know—but nominees must be 30 years old or younger by December 31, 2023, currently work at any level as a travel consultant, have completed a significant project for his or her travel agency, and be recognized by leaders of his or her own organization as an emerging leader.
The deadline to be considered for the program is February 28, 2023.
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