Why Travel Clubs Are Gaining Such Traction With Consumers
Like most other industries, tourism was significantly impacted by the pandemic. However, bolstered by pent-up demand, tourism is projected to return to pre-pandemic levels in 2023 and climb at a rate that will surpass global GDP growth.
And with the increase in travel, we are also witnessing a rise in preference for customized travel experiences. A growing number of people are now reliant on the prevalent "Subscription economy," which is a big reason why travel clubs seem to be the future of the travel industry and are likely here to stay.
Travel clubs, sometimes also known as vacation clubs, are membership programs that offer lucrative travel and lifestyle benefits to their members in the form of loyalty points, discounts, vouchers, freebies, etc., to encourage customer loyalty and boost retention. They typically provide customized subscription plans.
Most travel clubs are not location-specific and enable their members to enjoy the benefits of loyalty points from anywhere around the globe. Plenty of businesses, airlines, hotels, and travel agents also collaborate with travel clubs to market their products and enhance their brand image. This way, they can also offer employees, clients, and other stakeholders special perks and member-only prices.
The Travelers’ Century Club (TCC) is one of the oldest travel clubs, founded in Los Angeles in 1954 by a group of the world’s most widely traveled people. It was organized as a social club to celebrate the achievement of people who have visited over 100 countries and territories. The club currently has more than 1,500 members worldwide who benefit from its global recognition, vast network, and worldwide social events.
Let’s look further into why travel clubs are becoming increasingly popular amongst customers:
Family Reunions and Friendcations
After two years of limited mobility and travel, people are finally stepping out to meet friends and family and take trips together. There is a significant shift from standard group tours to a more customized experience, which travel clubs can provide. By taking advantage of travel club benefits, you can fulfill your needs no matter where you plan to visit.
‘Friendcations’ have also become a common phenomenon. Travel to places like Cancun, Mexico, and Cartagena, Colombia – both popular destinations for groups of friends – have more than doubled YoY. Travel clubs can prove advantageous to such plans as they simplify the logistics so that you can focus on your friends and family. By providing services like a personal butler, fast documentation, medical assistance, local guides, and more, travel clubs make sure that you have a safe and comfortable journey throughout. They also make family reunions a lot easier to plan.
Interaction Amongst The Community
Not just friends and families, communities too are thriving in the post-pandemic era. People are craving in-person interaction and seeking newer experiences. Whether you’re traveling solo or with others, travel clubs can help you enjoy new experiences by sharing your journey with fellow members, learning about other cultures, and building your self-confidence.
Hassle-Free Experiences
Travel clubs offer flexible membership options with a variety of plans and benefits to cater to the varying needs of all kinds of travelers. They conduct thorough research into customer habits and behavior before designing plans and itineraries to offer members. One of the best benefits of travel club memberships is the customer support during your vacation, which adds to making your experience as smooth as it is enjoyable.
You also get to experience sharing stories and details about unique locations and new destinations among the various club members. A joy shared is a joy doubled, after all!
Cost-Effective Traveling
From Netflix and Hulu to Spotify and even owning a car, most people enjoy the convenience of the subscription economy. And by including this model in the travel and tourism industry, you enjoy not only a personalized experience but also a way to ease the financial burden.
Not to mention, traveling in large groups is generally cheaper. Travel clubs can get you better deals and offer you the perfect balance of affordability and luxury. Travel clubs also often collaborate with brands to offer amazing discounts, gift cards, access codes, merchandise, and more.
Common travel club benefits include:
A 50% or more discount on travel for frequent travelers
Buy one, get one free airfare, or a companion certificate
A free or discounted two-day vacation
Free entry or access to popular local restaurants or bars
A discounted access or a special deal on tourist attractions like theme parks
Bottom Line
As travel restrictions continue to relax, slowly but surely, there is bound to be an increase in the number of tourists and visitors who are opting for customized travel club benefits. If you are already planning your next trip and want to prepare for the journey, consider joining a travel club today!