The trend is moving towards multi-centre activityfocused trips
Holidays are complex. My first question is whether they want something in the school holidays and what their budget is, as expectations are often unrealistic. I like to know what has been booked the past too.
The trend is moving away from a one-or two-week beachside stay to holidays ranging from multi-centre activity-focused trips to Slovenia (for teenage groups) or Lapland, land and water sports in the Caribbean or a safari in Africa. Many families ski together and the Mediterranean is still popular.
For a classic family summer holiday the trend seems to be split between all-inclusive resorts and villa stays, which are more in demand than self-catering apartments. Croatia, Italy and Malta are popular.
Clients are more specific, especially if they have a decent budget - "no more than four hours of flying, Gatwick departure, separate bedrooms, walking distance to restaurants, a range of activities (but not necessarily kids clubs)". We dissuade clients from all-inclusive unless it's a high-star-rated property - food and service can be disappointing.
Another trend is multi-generational holidays. Hallmark Travel has a large clientele of retired couples, some travelling to visit children abroad, but many just enjoying big trips together with the time and funds they've acquired.
I went to Destinations in London recently (a great event to get ideas for off-the-beatentrack trips) and the biggest trend was solo travel. But that is another subject entirely!