Who are the major consumer groups that comprise the various holiday lifestages?

What are the key driving factors that are likely to influence the holiday market over the next few years?

·Is the market rapidly becoming dominated by large vertically integrated travel groups?

As the modern holiday market progresses, the lifestage factor is becoming an increasingly important way of categorising and understanding consumer leisure behaviour and needs. The choices that are made by different types of holidaymakers have as much to do with their individual lifestyles as with the market factors by which they are governed. During the last 12 months many travel products offered have become increasingly tailored towards more sophisticated or personalised holidays, meaning that providers have recognised a greater degree of demand from consumers who are becoming more knowledgeable.

Who are the major consumer groups that comprise the various holiday lifestages?

What are the key driving factors that are likely to influence the holiday market over the next few years?

·Is the market rapidly becoming dominated by large vertically integrated travel groups?

As the modern holiday market progresses, the lifestage factor is becoming an increasingly important way of categorising and understanding consumer leisure behaviour and needs. The choices that are made by different types of holidaymakers have as much to do with their individual lifestyles as with the market factors by which they are governed. During the last 12 months many travel products offered have become increasingly tailored towards more sophisticated or personalised holidays, meaning that providers have recognised a greater degree of demand from consumers who are becoming more knowledgeable.

This report explores the changing patterns of booking a holiday according to lifestage. Due to the influx of certain information technologies such as the internet and digital television, consumers are becoming more aware of the holiday options available to them. Consequently, leading tour operators and travel agents alike have responded by developing their websites to cater for those who require information on destinations, flights and accommodation. Are consumers increasingly using the information gathered from these sites to then book directly with tour operators and airlines? Holidays by lifestage analyses the buying and booking behaviour of consumers, as well as monitoring and analysing the developing trends.

Other Mintel reports of interest include the following:

- Special Report, British Lifestyles, 2000

- Special Report, 2020 Vision - Tomorrow's Consumer, 2000

- Special Report, Holidays - Destination Marketing, 2000

- Late Holiday Bookings, Leisure Intelligence, August 2000

- Snowsports, Leisure Intelligence, August 2000

- Holidays on the Internet, Leisure Intelligence, June 2000

- Holiday Property Abroad, Leisure Intelligence, June 2000

- Inclusive Tours, Leisure Intelligence, May 2000

- Post-family Leisure Trends, Leisure Intelligence, April 2000

- City Breaks, Leisure Intelligence, March 2000

- Family Leisure Trends, Leisure Intelligence, March 2000

- Hotels, Leisure Intelligence, February 2000

- Pre-family Leisure Trends, Leisure Intelligence, January 2000

- Lifestyles Leisure Intelligence September 1999

- Fly-drive Holidays, Leisure Intelligence, April 1999

- Long-haul Holidays, Leisure Intelligence, March 1999

- All-inclusive Holidays, Leisure Intelligence, February 1999

- No-frills/Low-cost Airlines, Leisure Intelligence, February 1999

- Youth Holidays, Leisure Intelligence, October 2000

- Premium Holidays, Leisure Intelligence, October 2000

- Pink Travel, Leisure Intelligence, November 2000.