Cruise and touring operators told this year’s Abta Travel Convention they are well placed to meet demand in key future growth markets.
Holidays targeting the older traveller was identified as one of the potential growth markets for travel over the next two to three years by PwC at this year’s Abta Travel Convention, as well as the experiential market and luxury sector.
Speaking on a panel, Celebrity Cruises vice-president UK & Ireland and EMEA Giles Hawke said: “They might as well have said cruise when talking about these growth areas.
“Cruise hits all these really well. Cruise has got massive potential and the order books are full for the next five years.
“Cruise is well placed to take advantage of these trends that are coming.”
Cosmos and Avalon Waterways managing director Lesley Taylor agreed: “Older customers are key to us. This market has served us extremely well. I think the stage of life they are at, having paid the mortgage, it’s their time to travel.
“That group has so much to offer ourselves and travel agents. They are big revenue bookings. Repeat business is high.”
Hawke said customers in their 40s, 50s and 60s often had the “time and money” and wanted experiences.
“Our customers have an adventurous mindset. I think the fact 40-year-olds and above are looking for these sorts of holidays plays perfectly into our market,” he said.
He was adamant growth would continue: “We see no slowdown in demand and we are planning for 20, 30, 40 years from now.”