Intrepid Travel forecasts positive 2010

Intrepid Travel has started the year with a positive surge in business, announcing last week that sales results year-to-date is up nearly 20 percent for the Australian industry compared to a year ago.

The adventure travel company said Vietnam was the best-selling destination year to date in terms of passenger numbers by Australian agents.

Other best-sellers that followed included Egypt and South America (equal), South Africa, Cambodia and India respectively.

Destinations that are showing the fastest growth year-to-date include North America, Western Europe, Tibet, Italy and Central America and Egypt (equal) respectively.

Intrepid Travel’s Global Industry Sales Manager James Thornton told e-Travel Blackboard that adventure travel was “no longer the domain of the young.”

“The majority of our passengers are aged 25 to 39 but we are seeing growth in older passengers too.

“People want to get away from the resorts to truly experience the places they visit. Travellers of all ages who are looking for culturally rewarding holiday experiences are turning to Intrepid.”

Another trend he noted was that booking periods were starting to lengthen again.

“Shorter booking periods were a key trend last year but with the economy more buoyant, we’re already seeing a shift away from them in 2010.

“This is particularly evident for destinations like Africa and Latin America where people are booking over six months out.”

He added that the company was confident that the 20 percent growth seen from agents would continue for the rest of 2010.

Source: etravelblackboard.com