Cruise and multi-centre boom for Barrhead Travel

The Scottish agency chain says cruise bookings are up 54% year-on-year to date for winter 2020 departures; but while Mediterranean itineraries continue to prove popular, Barrhead says it is seeing growing demand for Asian itineraries.

In its latest travel trends report, theme park mecca Orlando proved the company’s top-selling destination for 2020, followed by Tenerife, Cancun, Antalya and Majorca.

However, Spain continues to dominate with eight destinations featuring in Barrhead’s top 20 for 2020.

Up-and-coming destinations, meanwhile, include Iceland, which has seen the largest increase in bookings compared to last year (55%).

Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong and Paris complete Barrhead’s top five rising stars of 2020.

“Besides being home to such diverse and natural wonders, Iceland also acts as a perfect springboard to destinations further afield such as Canada, Orlando, Boston and more,” said Barrhead president Jacqueline Dobson.

Barrhead believes the popularity of these up-and-coming destinations are due, in part, to increasing demand for multi-centre holidays and cruise breaks, with cities such as Dubai, Bangkok and Paris acting as both connecting hubs and destinations.

“Customers today are interested in seeing more than one destination during their travels, hence the increased demand for cruise and multi-centre getaways,” Dobson added.