Interested in coach holidays?
Want to learn about some exciting coach holiday trends and see what changes might stick around?
I’ve spent over 25 years working as a coach holiday Tour Manager, taking coach holidays all over the world. It’s a great way to travel and it’s an industry that is always changing and adapting.
There are some positive coach holiday trends which have come about as a result of Covid, although the industry was one of the hardest hit, due to the nature of it’s travel.
Let’s see what’s been changing.
1. Coach Holiday Trends in 2021
It will be no surprise that for 2021 travellers are looking to travel in the UK a little more and some of the larger companies are now offering increased UK coach holiday programs in response to demand from their customers.
The vaccination roll out also seems to have boosted travellers confidence when it comes to making plans and they are currently booking holidays for 2022.
Titan Travel has published it’s top selling countries for coach holidays and Italy has moved into number 1 spot, pushing the previous occupant, the USA down to number 2.
There are plenty of longer haul destinations in their top 20 including Uzbekistan, Australia, South Africa, Costa Rica and Japan.
Shorter haul destinations are proving more popular for 2021, with a longer haul trip to look forward to in 2022.
2. Coach Holiday Trends 2022
Longer haul coach holidays are looking more popular. The Essence of Japan is currently the best selling Titan Travel holiday for 2022.
Longer haul tours with a wildlife element are also proving popular with Costa Rica from Titan Travel selling out one year in advance.
3. Continuing Coach Holiday Trends
Booking Flexiblity
There is still much uncertainty around Covid19. Some larger coach holiday companies have responded by offering much more flexible booking options, with some doing this right through to 2022. This confidence is no doubt helping people to book, knowing they can either change their booking to another date or holiday, or even get a refund, depending on the company policy.
Some companies have made changes to the final payment date, pushing this back, to ensure people aren’t parting with their money until it is much clearer that their holiday will depart.
Smaller Group Tours
This is a wider trend that has accelerated as a result of Covid19. There is more interest in smaller group tours as there is in smaller size cruising vessels and river cruises.
Smaller groups travelling on larger vehicles also seems to be proving popular with customers although personally I can’t see this continuing beyond Covid19 without impacting more heavily on pricing.
Solo Travel
Solo travel has been a big growth trend in all sorts of travel and coach holidays are more different. There is an increase in tours where all the travellers are solos and also an increase in the number of solo departures available on a regular group tour.
Holiday companies are negotiating for more supplement free rooms on departures, and single supplements do seem to be moving downwards from where they once were which is positive.
Whilst there are of course specialist solo coach holiday operators, larger companies are now offering dedicated solo departure dates across lots of their popular holidays.
(Check out my post on coach holidays for single travellers for more details on the options available)
Vaccination Requirements
It is currently unclear what the requirements will be from other countries for UK travellers in terms of vaccinations and vaccine passports.
However, two of larger coach holiday companies have gone public with their requirements.
SAGA Holidays requires traveller to have had both vaccinations, proof of this and to travel a minimum of 14 days after their second dose to allow for full immunity.
Titan Travel currently do not have a requirement for travellers to have a vaccination before taking a trip. However, they are awaiting details of the UK Government announcement in April which may well give holiday operators more guidance.
4.Coach Holiday Trends – In Conclusion;
As I often say research is key to finding the right coach holiday and that is even more important when it comes to being assured around cancellation and Covid policies and requirements. Take time to read the details to ensure you know exactly what you are committing to.
Further Reading
If you have found this article on coach holiday trends then you might also like;
Top 4 Coach Holiday Myths – some common misconceptions well and truly busted
10 Coach Holiday Hacks – for an even better coach holiday experience
Coach Holidays for Single Travellers – what options are available
Check out my Coach Holiday Expert page for more resources to help you find your perfect coach holiday
Other Articles
Coach Holiday Companies;
Here are a couple of coach holiday companies that I know if you want to start looking at holiday ideas right now 🙂