20 Apr 2022
ORIGINAL TRAVEL INTRODUCES THE NEXT TRAVEL TREND: THE GRATIFICATION
Reporting a rise in bookings for longer, more expensive 'dream' trips, Original Travel predicts the upsurge of a new type of holiday - the Gratification
Just as the Roaring Twenties followed the Spanish Flu, Original Travel predicts that 'Gratifications' will follow the Covid-19 pandemic; trips that are all about treating oneself and are bigger and better than ever before.
The tailormade tour operator reports that it's booking longer, more expensive and more decadent holidays than pre-pandemic, with nearly a quarter (23%) of current bookings being for trips of 15+ days and the average price of a holiday in Q1 of 2022 18% higher than Q1 of 2019 – and this only looks set to grow. When Original Travel asked its 9000+ followers on Instagram whether 2022 will be the year they finally take that trip they've always wanted to take, 78% said yes.
Tom Barber, Founder of Original Travel, says: 'After years of taking travel for granted and then losing our right to roam, guilt-free “Gratifications” are all about casting off the shackles of lockdowns and quarantines to embrace travel and all its pleasures once more. No more waiting for “one day” – now is the time to treat yourself and visit that place you've always wanted to visit, enjoy the experiences you've always wanted to try and generally take the holiday you've always wanted to take. As Mark Twain didn't actually say, but a sentiment we love anyway: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do.”
'We have all been dreaming, planning and anticipating 2022's holidays for nearly two years, so it's no surprise that the types of holidays we're booking now are more “decadent” in one way or other, with people wanting to treat themselves after such a long period of abstinence. Decadence means different things to different people; for some, it's about luxury, for others it's about hedonism, richness of experiences or being completely off the grid. The Gratifications we are booking are highly itinerised trips made up of multiple destinations, excursions and activities and often for 3G (three generational) families or groups of friends. Recent examples include a seven-week diving trip to Indonesia and Palau, a five-week summer family sabbatical to the US and slow, meandering rail trips through Italy and France. Not only is travel back, but it's back in the best possible way, and in keeping with our Travel Less, Travel Better mantra.'
To facilitate the trend, Original Travel has launched a new collection of Gratification-worthy trips, including bucket-list itineraries, luxury holidays, multi-generational holidays and sabbaticals. These include some of travel's biggest must-dos, such as seeing the gorillas in Uganda, chasing the Northern Lights and hiking through the Himalayas.
No matter how decadent or luxurious the Gratification is, it will always be responsible travel when booked with Original Travel. The tour operator not only absorbs the carbon footprint of their international flights, but also - in an industry-first - car-hire and other flights (even if booked independently). Every booking also contributes to its Foundation, which supports nearly 100 humanitarian projects in 30 developing countries. To date, nearly £1.5 million has been invested to support five key areas: child protection, vocational training, economic development assistance, preservation of cultural and natural heritage and safeguarding the lifestyles of indigenous peoples.
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For more information contact:
020 3582 4990
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Notes to Editors:
Original Travel curates tailor-made itineraries, crafted by destination experts, to 77 countries worldwide from Anguilla to Zimbabwe. Since its launch in 2003, it has created 50,000 itineraries, each unique and adhering to the company ethos that “Life is in the Detail”.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Original Travel launched a flexibility pledge that allows clients to change their dates or destination up to 30 days prior to departure. For new bookings made before 31st May 2022 and for departures until 31st December 2022, we will offer you the full flexibility to change the trip up to 30 days prior to departure. You can, for any reason, change your destination to any other, and to any date up until the end of 2022, and there will be no charge. For all bookings where we cannot fulfil the trip due to changes in travel restrictions, we will postpone your trip - again at no charge - to any departure date until the end of 2022, or offer credit against any future departure, or refund all monies paid.
Original Travel is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Campbell Irvine Ltd, who are authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and who offer a brand new travel insurance policy that includes cover for cancellation or curtailment of a trip due to contracting coronavirus, or through being quarantined or refused permission to travel due to infection or suspected infection. This insurance policy is only valid for travel to countries where there is no FCDO advice against all but essential travel. Full details can be found on a new section on Original Travel's website, entitled 'Coronavirus Confidence'.
Original Travel also has its own specialist dive division. Original Diving is the world's only luxury dive travel outfit.
Three of our consultants were recognised in Conde Nast Traveler's 2022 Travel Specialists list, including Co-founder Tom Barber as family specialist, Jacqui Brooks as Indonesia specialist and Oliver Rodwell as Mexico specialist, giving an excellent snapshot of our expertise.
Original Travel clients enjoy a wealth of additional services they would not find with any other UK tour operator, including:
- Access to a network of 70-plus Concierges who live locally, know their destinations inside and out and are extremely well-connected. They lend fantastic ground support, offering insider recommendations, facilitating any last-minute changes and troubleshooting.
- A brace of additional services designed to make departure easier than ever. Every Original Travel client, regardless of whether they're off on a long weekend to Seville, or a multi-destination sabbatical, will enjoy UK airport meet and greet, fast track UK check-in, fast track UK security*, lounge access and pre-booked flight seats. There are also upgrade options to include: a luggage transfer service from your home to the airport; fast track check-in and security and lounge access on your flight home; fast track through immigration on your return to the UK.
- The knowledge that not only will Original Travel absorb the carbon footprint of their international flights, but also - in an industry-first - car-hire and transfers, and other flights (even if booked independently).
- The knowledge that they are contributing to Our Foundation, which supports nearly 100 humanitarian projects in 30 developing countries. To date, nearly £1.5 million has been invested to support five key areas: child protection, vocational training, economic development assistance, preservation of cultural and natural heritage and safeguarding the lifestyles of indigenous peoples.
