Escorted tours specialist Titan Travel reports that “vaccine confidence” is prompting a surge in bookings for 2022.
One of its 2022 tours – Wild Costa Rica, departing February 5, 2022 – has already sold out, 13 months before departure.
Andy Squirrell, managing director, said consumer surveys last summer showed that travellers are planning further ahead than before so Titan launched its 2022 Worldwide and European product in autumn 2020.
“Since the launch we have seen a great uplift in bookings for future holidays, which has led to one of our 2022 tour dates selling out 13 months before departure,” he said.
“The vaccine rollout is undoubtedly bringing greater confidence to travellers who are itching to book a holiday and travel once again.
“Whether consumers are wanting to travel in 2021 or book in advance for 2022, we’re declaring 2021 the Year of the Holiday; the much-anticipated reawakening of travel.”
Other tours that are selling fast include Titan’s 11-day Uzbekistan – Jewel of the Silk Road tour and Titan’s 16-day Across Canada tour.
Meanwhile, sister company, over-50s specialist Saga, reported a 90% hike in long-haul sales for 2022 plus people looking to take longer duration holidays of up to 18 days.
The operator reported a 16% increase in traffic to its website with a 98% increase in conversion to sales.
UK and Ireland trips are also seeing increased interest.
Saga Holidays chief executive Chris Simmonds said that people over 50 are “hungry to travel”, with once-in-a-lifetime trips next winter to destinations such as Uzbekistan and Uganda proving particularly popular.
Saga’s customers are “very adventurous and thinking about spoiling themselves,” he added.