Zina Bencheikh, Managing Director EMEA at Intrepid Travel
The extreme weather in Europe this summer is a stark reminder that climate change is here, it’s happening, and it’s changing the way we travel. With temperatures getting more extreme in the high summer, Intrepid Travel is expecting shoulder season travel to grow in popularity in 2024.
In 2023, we observed a 61 per cent increase in shoulder season bookings to western Europe and 29 per cent increase in southern Europe. We have upped the number of shoulder season departures to destinations like Spain, Italy, Portugal, and France next year. Travelling in the shoulder season often brings cooler temperatures, but it can also help with overtourism and bring a better travel experience to our customers. As cities experience more and more tourists in peak times, travelling in shoulder season means fewer crowds.
A GREEN MOUNTAIN VIEW OF A TRAIN TRACK
More flight-free alternatives
Zina Bencheikh, Intrepid Travel
The climate crisis also means that an increasing number of travellers are conscious about their impact on the planet, and are seeking rail journeys as an alternative to flying. Intrepid is removing more flights from its itineraries in 2024, with our customers predicted to take about 4,000 fewer flights on trips compared to this year. We’ve also launched our first flight-free trip from the UK which travels through France and Spain.
Choosing to travel by train isn’t only about skipping the flights but slowing down and making the journey to a destination more meaningful and part of the holiday itself. Travellers are keen to experience scenic railway routes and spend time exploring towns and cities along the way that they wouldn’t see if they were flying.
