Australia’s iconic overland rail journeys have proven to be a magnet for the domestic holiday market limited by the pandemic-induced overseas travel ban. Numerous retail travel agencies have reported high demand for rail trips to LATTE in recent months, such as the Indian Pacific and the Ghan. Among those agencies is South Australia’s Phil Hoffmann Travel (PHT).

Michelle Ashcroft, General Manager of the award-winning retail travel company, says the Ghan and the new Great Southern Explorer are of particular interest to clients wanting to travel later in 2020.

Ashcroft told LATTE this week the destination and the style of holiday rail travel offers, combined with “great food and local experiences,” are of great appeal to Phil Hoffmann Travel’s clientele. The luxury Platinum class travel product available on the Ghan, Indian Pacific and Great Southern are in high demand.

Ashcroft said there has been a definite increase in domestic luxury holiday interest – and bookings – in recent weeks, with pent up demand from clients wanting to “get away with a feeling of ‘we deserve this time and luxury’ after the impact of the last few months.”

However, client confidence remains a sticky point. Ashcroft said there is still a level of hesitation among customers, strongly reflecting on government advice and media coverage.”We were certainly seeing a good increase in enquiries and bookings, particularly for local and interstate travel, but this has pulled back since Victoria’s coronavirus cases have spiked. As government responds to spikes and travellers get used to the ‘new normal’ we expect enquiries to grow and remain steady.”