About the market…

“Experts in rail tourism agree that when managed efficiently this niche market can enhance local and national tourist industries, bringing direct and indirect revenue to individual communities and countries as a whole. This is most clearly illustrated where epic rail journeys, such as the Indian Pacific, The Ghan and the Trans-Siberian continue to serve local people, as well as tourists.

As well as giving local communities a lifeline, rail tourism, at its simplest, is a useful tool for preserving the world’s rich rail heritage. One manifestation of this is the purchase and reconstruction of historic steam locomotives by companies like Rovos Rail in South Africa.

This report endeavours to give an overview of the development of rail tourism, from the origins of rail travel to the new lease of life given to railways by the advent of high-speed trains and the tourist industry.”

About Mintel’s report…

Travel & Tourism Analyst provides an examination of the travel industry, sector by sector, focusing on all the latest transport, accommodation and technology issues and highlighting developing outbound travel trends and niche markets.

Combining the latest tourism data from the most authoritative sources and Mintel’s own unique, independent analysis, it provides a level of market-explanation that can help create focused marketing and shape effective tourism policy at the highest level.