Latest News
HomeRegional NewsAfricaThomas Cook predicts travel trends for 2020
Trends

Thomas Cook predicts travel trends for 2020

Turkey has the highest number of return customers when comparing to other key destinations, indicating this captivating country is set for another strong year.

Thomas Cook has announced its 2020 travel trend predictions. Based on its UK booking data and customer insight, the travel company expects families will look to charming, smaller Turkish resorts for next year’s summer holidays, North Africa adventures will continue to grow in popularity, the retro Moscow Mule cocktail will make a comeback and split-generation holidays are the next big thing.

Beyond the big resorts
This year, Turkey leapfrogged Greece to take second position as a top summer destination and with holidaymakers falling back in love with this Eastern Mediterranean hotspot, Thomas Cook is seeing travellers branch out, exploring the villages beyond the big resorts.

With affordable prices, stunning landscapes and an abundance of mouth-watering fresh produce, Thomas Cook expects holidaymakers to explore more of Turkey next summer; Dalyan and Ozdere are already up 12% and 7% respectively. Self-catering accommodation in Turkey is also proving more popular for next summer, with an increase of 14% in B&B bookings and 11% in self-catering, showing Brits are keen to see more of smaller Turkey and experience the local cuisine and culture.

Further to this, Turkey has the highest number of return customers when comparing to other key destinations, indicating this captivating country is set for another strong year.

Mini adventurers head to North Africa
In recent years, holidays to North Africa have crept up the holiday hotlist and this summer, family bookings to Tunisia were up more than double year-on-year. The non-Euro destination offers good value for money, family-friendly expeditions and soft white sands, plus a year-round Mediterranean climate. Family sales to Tunisia are up 50% for this winter vs. same time last year and looking ahead to next summer, Tunisia shows no sign of slowing down with overall bookings up 25% year-on-year.

It’s not just Tunisia on the North Africa bucket list. The desire to delve into the Souks of Marrakech, or dine by the desert meant families accounted for 49% of bookings to Morocco and over 50% of bookings to Egypt this summer. Reflecting the demand, Thomas Cook’s fifth Casa Cook will be opening for families in El Gouna this winter.

Moscow Mule gets its kick back
It’s believed that the Moscow Mule grew in popularity in the 1940s, thanks to the birth of the Polaroid Camera and the photographic qualities of the copper mug. In the Instagram-era, it seems this hipster aesthetic, combined with copper’s ability to keep the drink cool, has led to the retro Moscow Mule making a comeback.

Whereas traditional cocktails such as Daiquiris and Sex on the Beach have remained consistent[1] over the last five years, Google Trends has shown a steady rise in popularity for the Moscow Mule among Brits and the spicy ginger beer drink is the most ordered cocktail at Thomas Cook’s Cook’s Club hotels this summer. Further to this, Brits are looking to replicate the simple-to-serve recipe at home – searches for how to make a Moscow Mule in the last 12 months are up 50%[2] versus the previous year and searches for Moscow mule mugs are up 200%[3] versus the previous five years.

Thomas Cook predicts the kick of the Moscow Mule cocktail is set to continue as trends from America go on influencing Brits (a third of Americans favour this fiery and fizzy tipple[4]).

Closing the generation gap
Multi-generational holidays, where grandparents accompany parents and children abroad, have continued to gain momentum and today, 64% of families either go on multi-generational holidays or are considering it, up from 57% in 2017.

However with the summer being long and costly, Thomas Cook predicts split-generation is the next big thing in the world of family holidays. Taking grandchildren away gives parents a break and the opportunity to save up annual leave. Over a third of Brits (37%) either send their children away with grandparents or are considering doing so for future holidays.

In a recent Mintel survey[5], when choosing a travel company 64% of families picked price as a reason for their choice, compared to 59% of empty nesters. This highlights that cost could be more of a consideration for parents, and a good opportunity for the older generation who have more disposable income to help them out with holiday costs.

Commenting on next year’s predictions, Will Waggott, Chief of Tour Operating at Thomas Cook UK, said: “The six million British customers who holiday with Thomas Cook every year are looking for affordable holidays in charming places, the opportunity to open their children’s eyes to new countries, and lasting memories with loved ones across split-generations. Turkey and North Africa are destinations we’re falling back in love with – they tick the value for money box thanks to being non-Euro and we expect these countries to continue to appeal to families well into next year and beyond.

We know our guests like sophisticated flavors on holiday and with the copper, Instagram-able exterior of the Moscow Mule mug enhancing the taste of this fiery, fizzy drink – we predict this trend is only set to grow.”

 

[1] Based on Google Trends Data
[2] Based on Google Trends Data
[3] Based on Google Trends Data
[4] Based on Research by Analysts at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, cited in the Times https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/moscow-mule-gives-a-big-kick-for-fevertree-drinks-9fxbqcdrv
[5] Mintel Holiday Planning and Booking process report, UK – May 2019

News Editor - TravelDailyNews Media Network | + Posts

Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.

She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.

29/03/2024
28/03/2024
27/03/2024
26/03/2024
25/03/2024
22/03/2024