Travel Leaders Group recently completed its 2019-20 travel trends survey. Among its top findings? Optimism among Travel Leaders Group advisors with respect to their travel business remains high at 81 percent. Most clients are booking six- to seven-day trips (43 percent) followed by eight- to 10-day trips (27 percent) and four- to five-day trips (15 percent).
Even better? According to the survey, travelers are planning on spending more or significantly more money on travel in 2020 (57 percent). The majority of advisors (54 percent) said clients have also expressed interest in using credit card rewards points to pay for all or part of their travel.
While parents traveling with small children (26 percent) remains a top family travel trend, travel advisors have reported growth in adult children traveling with their parents (26 percent) as well as grandparents traveling with grandchildren (24 percent) over the past three years. In addition, 41 percent have also reported a slight increase in the number of bookings for multi-generational family vacations.
But what are clients looking for when they book with travel advisors? The most desired amenities/options that families are seeking include:
- Non-stop flights (75 percent)
- Adjoining rooms or multi-room units/accommodations (61 percent)
- Proximity to major attractions or sightseeing locations (52 percent)
- Free breakfast (47 percent)
- Children’s programs (33 percent)
Cruising proved to be one of the more popular forms of travel, taking home the top spot for domestic destinations (Alaska cruises) and international (Caribbean/Mexican Gulf Coast cruises). European river and Mediterranean cruising took the fourth and fifth place, respectively, for the top international destinations. In addition, according to the survey, more than half (56 percent) of travel advisors foresee booking a luxury river cruise in 2020.
The Travel Leaders Group travel trends survey was conducted in the fourth quarter of 2019 with more than 400 travel advisors participating.
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