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Expedia Cruises’ Matthew Eichhorst Talks Trends in the Market and Sales Strategies

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Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) recently released its 2025 State of the Cruise Industry Report, providing a comprehensive review of where the market is heading. To further understand the state of the industry right now, we went to directly to the trade.

Matthew Eichhorst, president of Expedia Cruises and the recipient of TravelAge West’s 2025 Legend of the West award, sat down with us to discuss current trends, evolving sales strategies and what advisors should know for the year ahead.

What current trends are you seeing in the cruise market (either related to or beyond the CLIA report)?

We’re seeing a few key trends reshaping the cruise industry today. First, there is a shift in the demographics of cruise travelers; younger generations are increasingly choosing to cruise, especially with contemporary brands like Royal Caribbean, which offer a wide range of modern amenities and entertainment options. Cruising now offers something for every demographic.

Matthew Eichhorst, president of Expedia Cruises
Credit: 2025 Expedia Cruises

Another major trend we’re seeing is continued growth and outperformance in the expedition, luxury and river cruise categories. River cruising continues to expand with destinations like Portugal’s Douro River and Egypt on the Nile. Even the Amazon and parts of Africa are becoming more accessible via custom-built, small river ships designed for immersive destination experiences. While iconic rivers like the Danube, Rhine and Mekong remain popular, these newer routes are generating growing interest among experienced travelers seeking unique journeys.

We’re also seeing significant investment by cruise lines in private, curated island destinations. Royal Caribbean has set the standard with its Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas and is expanding with new experiences like a Beach Club in Nassau and Perfect Day Mexico.

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Carnival is launching Celebration Key in the Bahamas, and other lines like MSC, Disney and Norwegian are also enhancing their Caribbean offerings with exclusive island developments. These private destinations consistently receive higher guest satisfaction ratings than traditional ports of call, thanks to their tailored experiences and elevated service levels.

These trends show how cruise lines are diversifying their offerings and elevating the guest experience to appeal to a broader and more adventurous audience.

Are global uncertainties affecting overall interest, cruise rates and bookings much or is it relatively smooth sailing?

Travel has always been a force for good, and the cruise industry continues to demonstrate resilience in the face of global uncertainties. While there are the occasional bumps when major events occur, the overall trajectory remains strong. The industry has shown an impressive ability to rebound quickly and responsibly, and we’ve seen no significant slowdown in the core cruising markets.

With travelers showing continued confidence in cruising as a reliable and rewarding way to explore the world, it’s been relatively smooth sailing.

How can travel agents best leverage these trends to increase their sales numbers?

At Expedia Cruises, we emphasize the importance of our Vacation Consultants staying informed and up to date on training and industry trends. By sharing updates on new cruise innovations, itineraries or private island experiences, they can spark interest and uncover opportunities that clients may not be aware of.

RELATED: The Top 5 Travel Trends for 2025

For this reason, it is important to proactively reach out to clients and not just wait for the phone to ring. We have seen that presenting options and educating travelers helps build trust and often leads to increased bookings.

What role are advisors playing in driving high cruise satisfaction, and how can they continue to deliver that value?

Advisors play a crucial role in delivering exceptional travel experiences. Many are travel enthusiasts themselves, and can offer insider tips, destination expertise and personalize recommendations that make trips more memorable and stress-free. Being local to their clients, they also provide a personal touch and serve as a single point of contact throughout the planning process.

Our Vacation Consultants scour countless options to find the best fit, saving clients time, money and stress. They also have access to over 100,000 Expedia Exclusive Staterooms annually, plus perks like onboard credits, member pricing and pre-paid onboard gratuities. Best of all, their expert service is completely free. From helping with last-minute changes to recommending the best rooms and excursions, their support and knowledge contribute directly to higher levels of satisfaction and repeat bookings.



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Travel Companies Draw Up Unique Itineraries For Gen Z & Millennial Travellers

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Imagine crying into your pillow one night, and by morning, you’re hiking through Spiti, fossil-hunting with strangers who’ve also recently deleted someone from their lives. In the new age of travel therapy, your relationship status is a reason for a curated vacation. From “break-up retreats” to Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara-style pub crawls in Madrid, travel companies are offering itineraries tailored to emotions.

With 65% of India’s population under 35, young people have become the primary drivers of travel trends. And as Gen Z and millennials swap therapist couches for airplane seats, the travel industry is cashing in on every mood swing. 

But while “me-time” is now synonymous with “me-travel,” the bigger question remains: is a passport stamp enough to patch emotional wounds?

Why Emotions Now Dictate Travel Plans

Gone are the days when travel was about ticking off monuments. Now it’s about ticking off emotional recovery and getting Instagram content along the way. Govind Gaur, CEO of WanderOn, confirms this emotional mapping of itineraries, saying, “They need stories, visuals, feelings, and moments to share.” His company curates everything from break-up getaways to reel-worthy trips under Himachal’s star-lit skies.

In a post-pandemic world where wellness and escapism have merged, travel companies have turned your trauma into their turnover. Vikas Katoch, CEO of Adotrip, says their curated group trips go “beyond traditional itineraries” and are designed for purpose and excitement. Whether it’s a heartbreak or a quarter-life crisis, there’s a package waiting with open arms and an early bird discount.

Me Time ≠ Must Travel

In today’s digital age, the concept of self-care has been wrapped tightly in wanderlust. But is travel the only answer to solitude or healing? Not really. “People often confuse movement with recovery,” says Delhi-based clinical psychologist Dr. Swati Tandon. “Travel gives temporary relief, but not necessarily emotional closure.” Still, for many, it feels easier to cry in a kayak in Langkawi than in their own bedroom.

Social media only fuels the illusion. The pressure to post “healing reels” from Bali rather than seeking quietude at home has turned emotional expression into a performance. And let’s face it, a beach selfie gets more likes than a therapy check-in. The visual economy of Instagram demands aesthetics, and travel gives you just that.

Bollywood’s Role

The film industry has long been the influencer-in-chief of travel trends. From Dil Chahta Hai’s Goa to Tamasha’s Corsica and ZNMD’s Spain, Bollywood has dramatised escapism and heartbreak-healing vacations to cinematic perfection. And today’s itineraries mimic these emotional arcs, complete with adventure sports and spiritual detours.

Travel companies are aware of this Bollywood blueprint. Thomas Cook India’s Neeraj Singh Dev says packages are now built around “concerts, pop culture references, and filming locations.” The idea is to live the movie you once cried to, only now, you’re the main character with a ticket to healing and a GoPro.


Also Read: Breakfast Babble: Here’s What I’d Do If I Travel Through Time


Gen Z’s Travel Bug

While clubbing in Ibiza and pub-hopping in Madrid might make headlines, what’s surprising is Gen Z’s parallel interest in pilgrimage. According to SOTC Travel, the average customer age has dropped by nearly 10 years post-pandemic, and spiritual packages like Char Dham and Ayodhya are seeing growing demand. 12% of Char Dham’s early bookings were from Gen Z alone.

This duality of bar marathons and bhajan circuits shows that young Indians aren’t just chasing adrenaline, but also meaning. Whether it’s donning a Hanbok in Seoul or seeking moksha in Dwarka, the new-age traveller wants it all: content, culture, and catharsis. As MP Bezbaruah of the Hotel Association of India puts it, “Hotels are reinventing themselves with eco-stays, wellness retreats and tech-first services,” anticipating that by 2030, 83% of their guests will be millennials and Gen Z.

The Business Of Heartbreak

Make no mistake, this isn’t just emotional healing, it’s strategic monetisation. From Rs 52,000 Krabi tours to Kuala Lumpur packages bundled with ATV rides and nightlife, the emotional economy is thriving. Travel companies have turned sentiments into a sales funnel, where every personal milestone, even sad ones, is a commercial opportunity.

Hospitality is also riding the wave. With the market share for millennial and Gen Z travellers set to dominate by 2030, the hospitality sector is customising its operations. Think late breakfasts, check-ins at the bar, and drunches that double as therapy. According to a McKinsey report, India’s travel and tourism market is expected to reach $125 billion by 2027, thanks to this emotion-driven travel boom.

A Suitcase Might Carry Grief, But Can It Unpack Healing?

The next time your heart breaks, your phone won’t just dial your best friend, it may buzz with travel notifications and early bird discounts. And while travelling does help you disconnect, reset, and even rediscover, let’s not forget: heartbreak may fly economy, but healing takes its own route.

So yes, pack your bags, book that scenic getaway, and eat your feelings under foreign skies, but also ask yourself, are you running from something or to something? Because while travel may offer the perfect backdrop for a reel, real peace sometimes needs more than just a good view.


Images: Google Images

Sources: Economic Times, Times of India, CNN

Find the blogger: Katyayani Joshi

This post is tagged under: breakup retreats, gen z travel, emotional tourism, instagram travel trends, bollywood travel influence, healing through travel, millennials exploring, post pandemic tourism, travel therapy, curated travel packages, spiritual travel gen z, solo trips india, hospitality trends 2025

Disclaimer: We do not hold any right, copyright over any of the images used, these have been taken from Google. In case of credits or removal, the owner may kindly mail us.


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Safety & Speed? Why More Female Students Are Choosing Flights Over Ground Transport

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Goibibo’s data from 50,000 verified student bookings via its Student GoPass program since January 2025 reveals key gender-based travel trends among Indian students. While both male and female students are digital-first and budget-conscious, the report highlights notable differences in travel choices and payment behavior.

Female students show a stronger preference for flights, likely due to safety and time efficiency, while male students lean more towards budget-friendly ground transport like buses and trains. Payment modes also vary subtly between genders, indicating unique priorities and comfort levels when booking travel.

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Female students in India are more likely to choose air travel over buses and trains, with 36% of them booking domestic flights compared to just 23% of male students, according to Goibibo’s Student GoPass data. Safety and time efficiency are likely key factors influencing this preference. On the other hand, half of the male students (50%) opt for ground transport such as buses and trains, while only 34% of female students do the same.

The gender divide in travel preferences is mirrored in device and payment choices as well. Over one in three female students reportedly use an iPhone, versus just one in four male students. In terms of payments, UPI is the top choice for both, but more so for women (71%) than men (64%). This suggests a stronger reliance on seamless and secure digital payments among women.

Interestingly, female students are far less likely to use “pay later” options—50% less than their male counterparts—indicating a more cautious and planned approach to spending. This aligns with broader behavior patterns suggesting that women prioritize convenience, security, and control in their travel planning.

Goibibo’s CMO Raj Rishi Singh summarized it well, stating, “The female student traveller is digitally savvy, deliberate in her choices, and values both convenience and safety.” He emphasized that despite the gender-based differences, both male and female students remain value-conscious—a trait central to the GoPass program’s growing popularity among India’s young travelers.

ALSO SEE: Movies and TV Will Get Better with AI, Not Just Cheaper: Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos



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Indian Travellers Pick Bali, Dubai this Summer: What OYO’s 2025 Report Reveals – outlookbusiness.com

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Indian Travellers Pick Bali, Dubai this Summer: What OYO’s 2025 Report Reveals  outlookbusiness.com



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