Flexibility is the travel buzzword for 2023

Titan’s Travel Trends report outlines what's most important to customers now

Escorted touring specialist Titan Travel has released its Travel Trends report detailing key points that travellers are prioritising when deciding where to visit in 2023.

The published findings are gathered from Titan customers, using insights from in-house experts and customer data.

Andy Squirrell, Managing Director, Titan Travel, said: “Once again, we’re delighted to share our annual research that uncovers our bestselling destinations and tours for 2023, and examines the current patterns and touring trends that continue to drive new bookings.”

Trends identified in the report include:

1. A rise in holidays on water and by rail
River, coastal and ocean cruises, plus railway journeys, are becoming increasingly popular. Reasons cited include the fact that it harks back to the nostalgic ‘golden age’ of travel, the fact that it makes the most of travel time, and the ease of travelling without the need to unpack and pack, plus the benefit of changing scenery throughout the trip. There is also a perceived value in the fact that these trips are all-inclusive.

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2. Appetite for travel has returned
The travel picture for 2023 is bright with 85% of respondents excited about travelling again, and 80% wanting to tick off destinations on their bucket list. In addition, 70% said they wanted to make up for lost time during the pandemic and 9/10 customers surveyed said they intended to travel in 2023, with half having already booked.

3. People intend to book two to four holidays
Most customers expect to travel between two and four times, with just 4% saying they will travel only once, while 23% plan to travel five or more times.

4. Spring and autumn getaways are most in demand
Due to the older demographic of Titan customers, the data shows that they are deciding to travel outside peak season and school holiday times. September is their most popular month. August is the quietest month with just 12% planning on travelling during that time.

5. Long-haul and adventure travel is in demand
Big-ticket holidays have made a comeback with 39% wanting to go globe-trotting. Travellers want to visit places they have never been to before, so that spirit of discovery has returned. 34% want to explore new cultures, and 64% want to go to a new destination.

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6. Exotic, informative and educational excursions are key
More than 50% of customers felt that exploring local culture and discovering historic sights are important. Only 1% said that familiarity – like English food or TV – was important.

7. Travel for one can be fun too
Two thirds of customers were planning on travelling with their partners, but a quarter were travelling solo, a key holiday trend.

8. Travel agents inspire trust
Half of travellers were planning on booking through tour operators, while 24% felt they would go through a trusted travel agent.

9. Flexibility is most sought after
The ability to make amendments at every stage of the process is key for customers. The option of extending holidays, changing dates and upgrading are of intrinsic importance to travellers now.