It is no secret that the last three years have been a turbulent time for the travel industry. The emergence of Covid-19 in early 2020 saw countries close their borders for months on end, leaving travel companies with a raft of refunds, postponed holidays, and the prospect of no revenue for the foreseeable future.
Even the last two years have been tricky as destinations were tentative when opening up to tourists, and guidelines and testing requirements remained in place. However, the overwhelming majority of people still showed a desire to travel, giving the industry hope of a strong recovery in time.
2023 might just be the start of this bounce-back. UK travel firms confirmed their busiest booking day in years on ‘Sunshine Saturday’, the first weekend day after the return to work in the new year which is traditionally a peak time for holiday enquiries. It seems that despite the rising cost of living in the UK, people are more likely to forgo other non-necessities rather than miss out a trip abroad.
All companies that survived the last three years will be keen to take their share of this renewed booking demand. But how can luxury travel companies compete against the larger mid-market outfits that are better able to save costs on package holidays and group trips?
Especially if you are having to revamp your company in 2023 to cater to this renewed interest, you may find it useful to seek advice from professionals regarding business restructuring and your product offering. This could be especially useful in helping you streamline your spending and maximise profits.
In the meantime, take a look at these ideas for how UK luxury travel companies can maximise sales in 2023.
Track travel trends
One of the most simple ways to ensure that you receive plenty of enquiries is to make sure that your product offering is aligned with the latest travel trends.
For example, think about the concept of slow travel which prioritises an immersion in fewer places rather than a fast-paced itinerary and includes plenty of time for independent exploration of the outdoors. Luxury eco-retreats and high-end glamping outfits are an ideal match.
Following the long bouts of isolation and illness, wellness holidays are continuing to be a big trend in 2023. Opulent spa resorts offering traditional and international treatments are likely to be popular.
Show value for money
A common misconception with luxury travel is that it cannot be affordable. Just because your clients want the best of everything, and likely have the funds for it, it is worth remembering that everyone wants to make sure they are getting value for money – especially in the current economic climate.
Value for money doesn’t just mean discounted rates – although it is worth negotiating with your favoured hotels for special offers where possible. Consider throwing in complimentary amenities or offering a special price for experiences for larger groups.
Expand into business travel
Lastly, and perhaps conversely to expectation, companies are set to offer increased opportunities for business travel in 2023. It could be profitable to reach out to high-end businesses and offering your services for organising luxury travel plans for their employees and clientele.
