A report into the state of the travel industry by Thomas Cook has found three new types of holidaymaker and a growing demand for experiences.
According to the operator’s Customer Challenge report out today there are three new types of holidaymakers – the Babymooners, Grand Travellers and Phoneymooners.
Consultants have said they are seeing more Babymooners – people taking their last holiday before the birth of their first child – and Grand Travellers – grandparents who take their grandchildren away for a break.
The report also found that couples choosing not to get married – dubbed Phoneymooers – are still taking exotic and romantic trips to destinations such as the Maldives, Mexico and Sri Lanka.
Thomas Cook also found that customers increasingly look for memorable experiences rather than a traditional holiday, and that their choice of location is influenced by television programmes – such as Big Cat Diary and Egyptian Journeys – and by the weather in the UK.
Thomas Cook Holidays executive director Ian Derbyshire said he believes package holidays have evolved in recent years to offer more choice for the consumer.
He said: “There are so many sources of travel inspiration today, and we are working hard to be able to match people’s expectations and fulfil their dreams. The customer is at the heart of all the new developments in travel, as our latest report shows.”