Online bookings for special interest holidays are booming, according to a report by Travelzest.
The report, in association with the Centre for Future Studies, reveals that from 2002 to 2006 holiday packages fell by 8.9% and this drop is set to continue.
Chris Mottershead, chief executive of Travelzest said: “We’re moving away from a mass market culture to one of unlimited choice.
“Through the internet, reaching small and specialist markets is now economical, an example being that about a quarter of Amazon’s book sales come from titles outside their top 100,000 sellers.
“It’s a similar story in the travel industry, with the biggest growth sectors being in specialist breaks such as activity, health and spa, nature and wildlife trips and escorted tours such as opera, cycling trips, dance, cooking or wine-tasting.”
Dr Frank Shaw, foresight director for the Centre of Future Studies, said: “People are spending more money than ever before on life-enriching experiences, such as luxury “small indulgencies” and travel trends reflect this.
“We are seeing much more sophisticated and confident travellers who care about the world around them and want authentic travel experiences.
“Both men and women are putting a high emphasis on ‘me time’ and are looking to blend hobbies with their holidaymaking. That might mean arranging a trip to Verona and booking tickets to an opera at the same time. Travel companies need to be much more focused on individualism.”
The top 10 “niche” travel markets tipped to grow over the next five years are:
• Learn-a-skill-in the-sun (eg cooking, surfing, painting, salsa dancing)
• Inner self escapes (eg yoga, meditation, spa)
• Hobbies abroad (eg art, gardens, cycling)
• Festivals & Fiestas (dance, opera, food & wine)
• Eco-lifestyle
• Wildlife & nature tours
• Sports tourism (following teams and playing sport)
• The home-from-home hotel
• Soft and extreme adventure
• Nip/ Tuck tourism
By Bev Fearis
