Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
a recent report released by Mintel, France is the most
popular destination for short breaks, with Paris being
the leading short break destination. Eastern European
cities are becoming more popular, with Prague now a
fi xture in Britons' top ten city destinations. Krakow and
Budapest, both accessible on low-cost airline routes,
are experiencing high rates of growth. Mintel expects
signifi cant growth in short breaks aimed at the over-50s
age group, which enjoys higher levels of disposable
income than previous generations as well as a strong
desire to travel. The report indicates that between 2005
and 2011, consumer expenditure on short breaks and
additional holidays is expected to rise by 13 per cent.
Total no. of
holidays
%
independent
%
packaged
Year
2004
42.9m
53.9
46.1
2006
45.2m
58.2
41.8
2008
45.5m
60.7
39.3
A recent report from Mintel indicates that more than
75 per cent of all overseas short breaks taken by British
people are organised independently. Independent
breaks have grown dramatically by 78 per cent in the last
10 years, the result of the expansion of routes offered
by the low-cost airlines and online 'self-packaging'
by travellers. During the same period, the share of
packaged short breaks has fallen from one-third to less
than a quarter of all short breaks sold.
The effects of this increase in frequency of holidays
has positive impacts across many travel and tourism
component industries, especially the low-cost airlines,
train companies, hotels and European cities/regions that
can promote themselves as short-break destinations.
Holiday home ownership is also popular among the
over-50s age group, with the low-cost airlines benefi ting
from British people who travel regularly to their second
homes in countries such as Spain, France and Greece.
Activity 1.13
Describe how the growth in independent travel is
currently affecting the travel and tourism sector.
This activity is designed to provide evidence for P5
Greater l exibility
The trend of using the internet for researching holidays
and making travel arrangements offers people greater
fl exibility than buying standard holidays from a travel
agency. This 'dynamic packaging' is set to grow in the
future and will allow tour operators to sell a wider variety
of destinations and holiday products online. This will have
positive effects for online travel companies in particular.
Adventure travel
This is a growth area of travel and tourism as people
look for ever more adventurous and stimulating
experiences in their leisure time. The term 'adventure
travel' can cover anything from a cruise along the Nile
or a trek in the foothills of the Himalayas to scuba diving
in Madagascar or bungee jumping in South Africa. New
Zealand is a country that markets itself as an adventure
tourism destination, offering a wide variety of activities
such as canyoning, hot air ballooning, sea canoeing,
paragliding and snowboarding.
Growth in independent travel
In recent years there has been a gradual increase in
independent travel at the expense of traditional
package holidays taken by the British. Many people
prefer to research their own holidays using guide
books and the internet rather than visiting a travel
agent to book a package holiday 'off the shelf'.
The following fi gures from the Offi ce for National
Statistics demonstrate this trend, showing a growth in
independent travel overseas from 53.9 per cent of all
holidays in 2004 to 60.7 per cent in 2008:
Weblink
Check out this website for more
information on adventure tourism in New
Zealand.
www.newzealand.com
