Be Inspired
36 / Bucket list trips
Timeless
travels After a long unwanted travel hiatus clients will be eager to start ticking off prized bucket list items on trips of a lifetime, says Charlotte Flach
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ucket list trips have timeless and universal appeal for a range of leisure travellers. Pent-up demand coupled with a new set of priorities, means that post-pandemic more clients than ever are keen to cross this type of trip off their wish list. “During these long dark months, we have been plotting and planning our next great escape!,” says Maggi Smit, Managing Director at Windows on the Wild Luxe. “We want quality and not quantity. We
want to experience life and all that it has to offer on a grand scale. Many fortunate people have saved money during the pandemic and now realise that what is valuable is experiences, not possessions.” “With travel opportunities having been so limited over the last 20 months, the pent-up demand for travel in 2022 and beyond is immense, and agents should be taking steps to capitalise on this boom of potential bookings,” agrees Paul Melinis, Managing Director of APT.
Family affair
New Orleans Jazz Festival
Lots of extended family and friend groups will want to take the opportunity to get together, following long periods of being apart. A recent report by Dubai Tourism suggested that 36% of travellers have saved up extra cash to go abroad and 78% see holidays as a great way to bring multiple generations together. Agents can suggest exclusive hires for big family or friendship groups, such as Thanda Island, set in Tanzania’s Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve
and surrounded by its own coral reef. Despite its remote location there’s plenty to do and conservation is a major part of the island’s USP. “Marine conservation is at the core of the island’s offering and guests are encouraged to get involved in a range of projects, such as marine wildlife monitoring or awareness workshops with villagers on neighbouring Mafia Island,” says Smit. “On the island, guests can rejuvenate and enjoy a variety of water sports or island activities as they explore this remarkable destination.”
What’s trending? Ramping up marketing efforts is a great way to sell bucket list trips, with support from operator partners. “Our sales and marketing teams have created guidelines and toolkits with everything that the trade will need to promote key selling destinations and products,” says Melenis. It’s also smart to keep recent trends in mind, he adds. These include booking a luxurious break to compensate for lost travel last year, and holidaying
sellingtravel.co.uk
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