Travel Suppliers Have Expanded Rail Offerings
The Association of Touring & Adventure Suppliers is pushing agents to increase focus on global rail travel.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Europe
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The Association of Touring & Adventure Suppliers has encouraged travel agents to boost rail travel sales to meet rising demand for slow travel. This push coincides with plans for new international rail services departing from London.
Why it matters
The rail sector is seeing higher demand due to improved word-of-mouth recommendations and television exposure. This trend is expected to grow as new competition enters the cross-Channel market.
UK travelers represent 27% of guests for the Armstrong Collective, which serves as a major market for rail-inclusive itineraries. Additionally, 60% of rail customers from the firm currently combine their trips with travel in Alaska.
The players
Association of Touring & Adventure Suppliers
This trade organization represents travel companies focused on multi-day touring and adventure travel.
Virgin Trains
This company operates rail services and has received regulatory approval to begin international routes from London.
Armstrong Collective
This firm is a travel provider that identifies the UK as its second-largest customer market.
Railbookers
This company specializes in rail-based travel packages and is planning future familiarization trips for industry partners.
The details
Travel agents are now being encouraged to appoint dedicated rail ambassadors and finish specialized product training to better serve clients. Suppliers are actively integrating more rail components into existing travel itineraries to destinations like Sicily and Vietnam.
Timeline
Railbookers could potentially launch familiarization trips in 2027.
Virgin Trains is scheduled to begin international rail services from London in 2030.
Travel Outlook
The travel industry's shift toward rail aligns with the slow travel movement, which prioritizes the journey as a key component of the vacation experience. This evolution reflects broader seasonal shifts toward sustainable tourism as more operators seek to differentiate their offerings.
Travelers can expect a wider variety of curated rail itineraries, including options that combine international train journeys with excursions in Alaska, Sicily, and Vietnam. Planning ahead for these trips will likely require working with specialized agents who have completed new product training.
The takeaway
Travelers interested in slow travel should consult with agents who have completed specialized rail training to access new, integrated itineraries. As cross-Channel rail competition increases, consumers may benefit from more diverse service options and improved marketing visibility.
What happens next
Virgin Trains is set to initiate international rail services from London in 2030, while Railbookers may launch agent familiarization trips in 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest trends in Europe rail travel for your next trip.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Travel Weekly UK.
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