Tailor-made itineraries top the list of most popular holidays, new research from The Global Travel Group reveals.
More than a third of members ranked tailor-made long-haul itineraries as the most popular type of holiday among their current customer base, compared to cruise holidays, hotel stays, flight bookings and city breaks.
Coming in at a close second, over one in four agents ranked the traditional package holiday as their most popular seller.
The popularity of long-haul tailor-made itineraries shows no sign of slowing down, with more than three quarters of respondents believing the sector will see the biggest increase in popularity in the years to come.
The survey also shows that it is the ‘boomer generation’ and the elderly who are seeking out travel agents, with respondents stating that nearly 90% of their customers are over the age of 40.
Global Travel Group managing director Andy Stark said: “Customers trust agents for the knowledge that they bring to the table and with the dizzying array of options out there, can be relied on for their expertise in cutting through the clutter to present the best complex itinerary.
“We ensure that all new agents are provided with the tools they need to stay one step ahead of the competition from tailored marketing materials and comprehensive training to commercial support.
“While the rise of OTAs has no doubt led to more consumers booking their flights and hotels online, when it comes to the tailor-made holiday, the survey results have spoken and the agent is still king.”