As travel restrictions relax and more countries loosen their regulations, group travel is changing dramatically. Operators need to recognize these emerging trends and adapt their offerings accordingly.
Road trips are a popular option among travelers seeking an alternative to flying. Additionally, they allow them to stay up-to-date with sanitation protocols and adhere to social distancing protocols.
The Evolution of Group Tours in a Post-Pandemic World
Once upon a time, tour buses full of tourists were familiar sights around popular travel spots. But after the pandemic struck, this trend has diminished considerably.
Environmental impact awareness has led many travelers to choose more eco-friendly travel experiences like hiking and eco-glamping. Furthermore, many choose less crowded locations by visiting more remote spots and taking tours during off-peak seasons.
Tour operators have noticed an upswing in group travel this spring. Tour operators and Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) are working together to offer itineraries that cater to this new group travel trend while working alongside DMOs to offer lesser-known areas and off-the-beaten-path experiences that provide unique travel experiences for consumers returning to travel after years away from it. This trend will likely grow more evident as more consumers return to travel this season and reopen their wallets.
The Increase in Private Tours
Since travel restrictions loom, private tours have become an increasingly attractive tour option. This could be attributable to Covid vaccines, improved security protocols, or pent-up demand for travel experiences.
Private tours offer travelers a unique travel experience tailored precisely to their specifications and timetable, helping build trust within the travel industry as people return to traveling.
Private tour packages offer travelers an economical means of experiencing all-inclusive packages while making the most of their travel experience. Therefore, tour operators in 2022 and beyond must consider this when designing tour packages to ensure prices meet market expectations while remaining competitive against local tour operators by calculating your margin – your gross profit, fewer costs of goods sold.
The Increase in Group Size
Group travel is making a comeback in a different form than before. Instead of traditional all-inclusive tours, some operators have begun offering smaller group tours for smaller group sizes that enjoy guided travel without Covid-19 travel restrictions or large group sizes. This trend provides excellent news to those who appreciate guided journeys but need something shorter or explicitly curated to their group size needs.
Domestic travel has also increased interest in shorter driving holidays, with travelers opting for less hectic travel periods like spring and fall as an alternative option for European vacations.
Increased interest in private travel has led to an upsurge in custom tours explicitly tailored for specific clientele – for instance, solo female travelers or LGBTQ+ group travel groups. This provides travel companies an excellent opportunity to showcase their expertise in creating personalized itineraries while targeting specific clientele who might find planning their trip more difficult.
The Increase in Safety
Group tours provide a safe, structured way for travelers to experience local attractions with fellow travelers. Most group tours follow safety protocols, limit group sizes, and can adapt itineraries according to traveler demand.
Digitalization also presents operators with a way to set themselves apart, open uncontested market space, and streamline efficiency and sustainability operations more effectively – Eurail’s mobile pass is an example of technology used to meet traveler needs and reduce or eliminate commission fees associated with OTA bookings.
The peak season for our Europe tours usually falls during the summer; however, departures throughout the year include spring and fall when temperatures offer ideal sightseeing conditions and lower crowd levels. From London’s double-decker buses and Eiffel Tower views to Rome’s ancient streets – our Europe trips are sure to please. And for added peace of mind, each expedition has an experienced tour guide escorting every tour.
