Long-haul destinations such as the US, Canada and Asia feature in a top ten of bucket list holiday regions for 2023, according to Great Rail Journeys research.
The appetite for travel in the new year is optimistic despite the nation navigating the ongoing rise in cost of living, the escorted tour operator suggested.
The poll revealed an increase of those in retirement looking to explore the world (48%) compared to the ‘traditional’ gap year generation (12%).
Travellers opted to stay a little closer to home with domestic and European travel being the popular choice for British holidaymakers this year due to on-going uncertainties following the pandemic.
However, almost a third of those surveyed were interested in experiencing an escorted rail tour with Italy and and the US confirmed as the top choices for trips in 2023.
The UK remains the top choice for 37% of the 1,000 people asked ahead of Italy, the US, Canada, Scandinavia, Germany, Switzerland, Australasia, Asai and Austria.
The study found that 32% are looking to experience an escorted rail tour in 2023, helped by a desire for holidays that offer multiple destinations in a single trip.
More a quarter (26%) believe they would feel more relaxed and comfortable travelling by train.
Sales and marketing director Lisa Wood said: “Following a difficult couple of years, battling the pandemic with various lockdowns resulting in continuous changes to travel restrictions and now coupled with the continued concerns surrounding the ongoing cost of living, it has left travellers cautious about booking their holiday in advance.
“Recent internal data has shown that Great Rail Journeys customers are booking their well-deserved getaway on average two months closer to the departure date when compared to 2019.
“However, as the industry is still on track to return to ‘normal’ there is a real appetite to explore the world again and, whilst Europe has dominated our preferred holiday destinations over the last year, we expect 2023 to see a real surge in worldwide bookings, as we, as a nation, feel more confident in travel again.”