Amidst evolving travel preferences, Kuoni reports a significant trend towards ‘value for money’ even in the luxury travel segment.
- The report pinpoints increased bookings to destinations such as Thailand, South Africa, and India, surpassing last year’s figures.
- Destinations like Mauritius and Namibia are gaining traction, highlighting a shift towards less conventional tourist paths.
- A strong start of the year indicates that value remains a priority for travellers, affecting their choices of destinations and experiences.
- Immersive travel experiences and expanding destination lists show a diverse range of preferences among travellers.
Amidst evolving travel preferences, Kuoni reports a significant trend towards ‘value for money’ even in the premium travel segment. Data from the peak sales period in January and February indicates a substantial increase in bookings to destinations such as Thailand, South Africa, and India, with numbers exceeding those of the previous year.
Kuoni’s trending destinations list for 2024 showcases a shift towards diverse and less conventional tourist paths. Destinations such as Mauritius, Thailand, Greece, Namibia, Sri Lanka, Portugal, South Africa, Canada, Grenada, and India highlight this growing trend. According to Marco Rocha, the product and commercial director, there is a ‘huge thirst for immersive travel’ that is evident this year, with diverse booking trends clearly emerging.
Travellers are prioritising value for money across various demographics, from honeymooners to families and singles. Rocha emphasises that, ‘value for money was going to be front of mind for all our customers this year.’ Consequently, Kuoni has focussed on broadening its range and enhancing its commercial strategy to remain competitive in both price and service.
Mauritius, gaining popularity for its luxurious yet affordable offerings, shows a growing preference within the Indian Ocean region. Similarly, destinations for significant trips like South Africa and India offer great value, with local expenses proving economical. Observations further indicate that destinations such as Namibia, often overshadowed by major safari locations like Kenya and Tanzania, are beginning to attract more interest.
Kuoni has noted a robust start to the year, with expectations of continued interest growing as travellers evaluate their plans and budgets. Travel seems to remain a high priority for many as the year progresses, indicating a sustained demand.
As travellers increasingly seek value without compromising their luxury experiences, destinations are adapting to meet this evolving demand.
