06 June 2005 Insurers gear up for space tourism
Plans to launch holidaymakers into space over the next few years will cause the biggest change to the travel and insurance industries for over a century, according to American Express Services.
Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic is planning to launch in Spring 2008 and since announcing its suborbital passenger plans, Virgin Galactic has received 29,000 applications.
Joanne Field of American Express Services compared the potential impact of the new mode of travel to the Wright Brothers' first flight in 1903.
"American Express is one of many global brands that may now have to think galactically on behalf of our customers of the future," she said.
A poll of 10,000 customers carried out last year by American Express Travel revealed other significant recent trends in travel.
The survey showed that 75 per cent of respondents made their own travel arrangements because it gave them greater independence and flexibility.
The survey also revealed that New Zealand and Australia were the top dream destinations.
Ms Field added: "As long haul travel has become so accessible, it is hardly surprising that the latest dream destinations are in fact those furthest from the U.K. - it will be interesting to see how quickly space travel - the ultimate long haul destination - is voted the top dream destination."
However with an initial fee of $200,000 a seat on the Virgin Galactic, commercial travel into space does not look set to overtake package holidays in the short term at least.
© DeHavilland Information Servic
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