A recent survey of Aito clients has revealed a preference for trains over planes when it comes to holiday travel. This surprising trend has emerged from a comprehensive study involving 12,000 customers.
With trains being viewed as ‘extremely or very appealing’ by a majority, several factors contribute to this shift. From environmental concerns to ease of travel, rail transport is gaining traction in the travel industry.
Survey Results Indicate a Shift
In an extensive survey conducted with 12,000 clients of The Specialist Travel Association (Aito), a noteworthy preference for rail travel over air travel was identified. Specifically, 52% of respondents found train travel to be ‘extremely or very appealing’, marginally surpassing the 50% who favoured air travel. This marks a significant finding in the current transportation preferences among travellers.
Travel Agents Versus Operators
The survey further dissected the preferences between travel agents and tour operators. Among clients dealing with travel agents, flying remained dominant with 61% preferring to fly. In contrast, only 49.5% of clients working with tour operators opted for flights.
Interestingly, train travel was less favoured among travel agent clients, with just 40% expressing interest, compared to 52.5% of tour operator clients. This split illustrates varying attitudes towards different modes of transportation within the travel industry.
Coach Travel: The Least Favoured Option
While both rail and air travel have their supporters, coach travel did not fare well in the survey results.
Overall, coach travel was deemed ‘extremely or very appealing’ by only 17% of customers, highlighting a significant gap in its popularity compared to other transport forms.
Further breaking down the numbers, 18% of tour operators’ clients showed a preference for coach travel, whereas only 11.5% of travel agents’ clients considered it an appealing option.
Challenges with Train Travel
Despite its increase in popularity, train travel presents certain challenges, as noted by industry experts. Roy Barker, director at Spike, acknowledged that while rail travel is appealing due to its charm, the practicalities involved, such as booking complexities and varying product quality, pose significant issues.
Feedback from travel firms such as Aito operator Transindus highlighted specific destinations, like Japan, where train travel remains a preferred choice for its cultural appeal and unique experiences.
Market Reactions to Increased Interest in Rail
Some companies within the travel industry have noted an uptick in rail travel enquiries.
Ramble Worldwide observed a growing curiosity among clients about rail journeys, though sales director Jim Eite mentioned that this has yet to translate into a substantial increase in bookings.
The cost and logistical complexities of rail travel compared to flying, commonly noted as cheaper and easier, are factors that continue to influence traveller choices, despite the increased interest.
The Administrative Burden of Organising Rail Travel
Chairman Noel Josephides of Sunvil highlighted the administrative challenges of planning rail travel from the UK.
Josephides described the process as a ‘pain in the neck’, attributing the choice of train travel more to customers having the time to spare or a dislike of flying rather than a commitment to sustainable travel.
This candid acknowledgment reflects the operational hurdles faced by travel firms in aligning with customer preferences.
Sustainability Considerations
Sustainability is often mentioned as a motivation for choosing rail travel over flying, yet it appears not to be the primary factor for most Aito clients.
Many customers are choosing rail travel for its experiential value and novelty rather than strictly environmental reasons.
The complexity of harmonising travel arrangements and customer expectations with sustainability goals continues to present an ongoing challenge for the travel industry.
The findings illuminate a growing preference among Aito clients for train travel, although flying remains prevalent, particularly among travel agent clients. Challenges in booking and cost considerations still influence the travel decisions of many customers. These insights are vital for understanding evolving travel preferences and addressing industry challenges.
