Newmarket forecasts growth for small group tours market

Newmarket Holidays is expanding its small group tours programme as the escorted tours specialist predicts “significant growth” in this market.

Most of its touring programme operates larger group sizes, but its small group tours have a maximum of 25 guests – and usually operate with about 20 customers per group.

The operator has been running small group tours for five years and has a programme of 17 in its latest brochure, with more coming later in 2022.

Richard Forde, head of trade sales, said: “We were operating small group tours well before the pandemic, but these tours are definitely more popular with customers post-pandemic.

“Certain destinations are really suited to smaller group sizes, like the African Safari programme (pictured), or tours that go off the beaten track like Peru, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Borneo’s Orangutans & Rainforest Adventure is very popular at the moment too.”

He added: “These are the sorts of trips that people have been planning over the past few months, just waiting for travel restrictions to ease so they can get on with their travel plans again.

“We’re seeing those customers feeling confident to come forward and book now. We’re already operating many of these trips and the feedback has been excellent.

“Our core programme is still our bread and butter, but the travel agents are really getting behind the small group tours, especially as customers are seeking additional reassurance and assistance, and that’s the added value provided by our agens partners.

“As we get further into the year, this should get even stronger as travel returns to pre-pandemic levels.”