17 March 2021
By: James Chapple

Railbookers has launched a new UK rail holiday brochure, with demand soaring for breaks closer to home amid the ongoing Covid crisis.

The rail specialist has revealed holidays to Scotland currently account for more than a third of all bookings, with the UK’s iconic cities and coastline also proving popular.

UK trips range from a grand tour of Scotland (10 days from £1,199pp) to a 14-day journey charting Britain’s history (from £2,749pp). Guests can also take in the length of the UK with a seven-day trip from London to Edinburgh via York onboard the Caledonian Sleeper (from £749pp).

Agents can work with the Railbookers team to tailor trips for clients, where necessary.

“We’ve seen demand continue to increase from customers looking for a holiday closer to home, within the UK, with holidays to Scotland currently accounting for over a third of current bookings,” said Railbookers sales and marketing manager Anna Davies.

The operator said pent-up demand for “bucket-list” holidays had inspired a second new range and brochure focusing on luxury rail journeys.

“To date in 2021, Railbookers has witnessed an incredible surge in higher-ticket holidays,” said Davies.

“Before Covid, travellers might have booked the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express one year and then a few years later booked the Grand Glacier Express.

“This year, we are seeing them combining both itineraries and travelling for longer, selecting more luxurious accommodation, and making the holiday they have waited a year or more to take something truly spectacular.”

Davies also revealed Railbookers’ average sale price for 2021 summer and autumn travel is up 56% on its 2019 pre-Covid price, with 2022 trips up 91% on 2019.

This has informed the operator’s new luxury rail journeys brochure, featuring trips that can be tailored to add extra destinations, experiences and excursions, including river cruise extensions, as well as five-star hotel accommodation and new dining options.

Trips include an eight-day Rome and Florence to Paris journey onboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from £3,349pp, six days onboard the Grand Glacier Express (excellence class) from £2,699pp, and eight days travelling Scotland onboard the Royal Scotsman from £5,149pp.

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