Busabout launches world-first “design your own trip” booking platform, as new research reveals 8 in 10 travellers prefer to ditch set itineraries and build their own custom-made holidays.
Adventure Planner allows agents to work with their clients to design and book their own itinerary from 38 cities across 13 countries in Europe, with door to door Busabout coach transport between cities, on board guides, in-ride entertainment and optional rather than fixed activities. Travellers choose where they want to go, how long they would like to stay for, the type of accommodation and what they’d like to do and see, with agents booking it in a few easy on the new innovate portal.
Duncan Robertson, Global Managing Director of Busabout, said “there’s been a shift in the way Australians are travelling, creating demand for a new breed of package trip, one that strikes a balance between independence and personalisation, with guided experiences and the expert assistance of agents.”
“Tourism as we know it is changing, people are seeking out more adventurous and experiential travel; for many, mass tourism is no longer sufficient. In the past, Aussies would happily join a fixed tour with a set itinerary for weeks or months at a time, but in recent years we’ve seen a greater mix of ages, budgets and styles of traveller seeking out more variety, shorter trips and personalised experiences,” Robertson said.
“We saw this as an opportunity to create a platform which challenged cookie-cutter tourism and allowed agents to personalise their client’s trip while still having the best parts of a fixed tour – like meeting like-minded travellers, door to door transport, knowledgeable guides and strong brand support. Now agents can create their client’s personalised itinerary with space for spontaneity.”
The Travel Trends Report,* which surveyed 400 Australians aged between 18 – 48, revealed social media was the driving force behind several preference shifts with more than 80% of travellers saying they had booked or intended to book travel because of something they had seen on social media.
“It takes just a few seconds for a person’s holiday photos to propel through their followers and generate travel envy. Social media has created a demand for more unique, niche experiences and a greater variety of travel styles and activities. It’s not just Gen Z and millennials who use social media either, there’s an increasing number of more experienced travellers looking online for inspiration.” Robertson said.
Although there was a shift towards more personalised travel, travellers still want a mix of fixed and independent travel.
“About 53% of everyone we surveyed said they would still like to have a mix of personalised travel and fixed tours which is why we designed the platform to also connect to our tour products. For example, clients can start their trip in Venice, onto Bologna and Rome, then pick up our Italian Adventure and explore the Amalfi Coast with a tour group for three days. Adventure Planner gives them the best of both worlds. They also get to meet a lot of different people as they travel while allowing them the flexibility to be independent or travel with their group if they choose.”
Attitudes towards accommodation have also changed. Research revealed more than 65% prefer to stay in private accommodation (such as hotels, Airbnb or private rooms) compared to 14% who prefer hostels.
“The Adventure Planner caters for any preference. Clients can choose private rooms or dorms from our accommodation partners in the platform, or they can select hotels or alternative accommodation nearby instead. The future of travel is not sedentary, it’s incredibly personalised. Traveller’s attitudes are changing and we wanted to create a platform that changed with them. We’re not all the same, so why should our travel be”?
Adventure Planner uses the Hop On Hop Off coach network which runs annually from May to October across Europe. Coaches depart every two days from 38 cities from pick up points at recommended accommodation partners.
Link: https://www.busabout.com/planner
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