Riviera Travel has seen a significant 25% increase in bookings for its long-haul escorted tours, as British travellers embrace a 'splurgesaver' mindset by prioritising meaningful, memory-rich travel over expensive short-haul getaways that offer fewer experiences.
With European resort holidays continuing to climb in price, more holidaymakers are choosing to spend a little extra for immersive, expertly guided journeys to far-flung destinations that deliver better value overall - even if they may cost a little extra. There isn’t a price too expensive for unforgettable experiences, it seems.
Instead of settling for a typical resort break, travellers are asking themselves if they could get more from their budget by exploring somewhere further afield. For instance, a resort stay in Turkey can top £5,000, while Riviera’s 13-day Best of Japan tour, packed with cultural highlights, starts from just £4,699pp (based on two sharing).
“We are seeing a ‘splurgesaver approach’ - we believe more travellers are wondering why pay premium prices for a mainstream resort stay when they could embark on a bucket list adventure?” says Christian Locke, Head of Long Haul at Riviera Travel.
“They want holidays that make them feel cared for and inspired, not just a change of scenery. Our increased focus on Long Haul product has also likely contributed to demand with lots of interest in India & Nepal, and South Korea, which are both new itineraries for us.”
Locke continues “Other perennial top performers include Japan, South Africa, India, Canada and New Zealand, which tend to prove popular as our customers are a little older and have more time on their hands.” This savvy ‘splurgesaver’ approach is driving demand across Riviera’s long-haul portfolio, which now spans Asia, Africa, Oceania, and the Americas.
Alongside its award-winning European river cruises and tours, Riviera Travel’s expanding long-haul collection gives travellers more choice than ever with 27 of its most popular itineraries already open for 2027 bookings. “Our clients are looking for something deeper when they travel,” says Locke.
“They don’t just want to tick off the sights, they want to really get to know a place, understand its culture, and come home with stories they’ll remember. That’s exactly what our long-haul tours are all about.”
