Agent, Tour Operator Influence To Resurge In 2011

Agents and tour operators will see a resurgence of influence in the future, predicts Cox & Kings, the longest-established travel company in the world. Waning influence of Internet due to information overload and specialized and specific requests by the traveler has caused resurgence in working with tour operators and travel agents.

Other travel trends predicted for 2011 are:

Multi-destination vacations: visiting two countries in one trip is more convenient than ever, affording travelers the opportunity to experience what they want from a combination of countries.

Learning experiences: Demand has increased for specialized learning experiences. People want to come away with a strong emotional connection with a destination and bring back more a skill they can actually use from a vacation.

Luxury trains: There will be renewed interest in rail travel that will increase throughout 2011. Rail travel is an easy and comfortable way to maximize travel time, allowing travelers to see a large number of sites without having to pack up and fly or drive between these locations.

Experiential family travel: The face of the family vacation is changing and they are extending far beyond a week-long island refuge. The demand for hands-on experiences that focus on learning and doing as opposed to just seeing will increase in 2011.