Rail travel is seeing a surge in popularity among Canadian travellers, driven by demand for immersive, multi-country journeys, flexible itineraries and experience-led travel. In this week’s Take 5 interview, we chat with Ryan Pulai about key trends shaping the rail sector, evolving product offerings and how advisors can capitalize on growing interest in rail vacations.

1.Rail travel continues to gain traction globally – how has demand from Canadian travellers evolved over the past year, and which destinations or itineraries are seeing the strongest growth?

“Rail travel continues to see strong momentum globally, and that’s reflected in growing demand from Canadian travellers over the past year. There’s been a notable shift toward more immersive, multi-country journeys, with itineraries combining destinations such as Switzerland and Italy seeing particularly strong growth. In response, we’ve introduced a new collection of curated multi-country rail vacations designed to make these seamless, experience-rich trips even more accessible.

“We’re also seeing increased interest in domestic travel across Canada, with many Canadians opting for bucket-list experiences closer to home. Iconic journeys such as travelling to the Maritimes with VIA Rail or exploring the Rockies aboard Rocky Mountaineer remain especially popular, as travellers rediscover the incredible landscapes available right on their doorstep.

“Another key area of growth is rail as part of a broader journey, particularly as a pre- or post-cruise extension. Advisors are increasingly using rail to enhance cruise itineraries, giving clients the opportunity to explore inland destinations before or after their sailing. It’s a seamless way to add depth and value to a trip while maximizing time in destination.”

2.How are you evolving your product offering to meet changing traveller expectations around flexibility, immersive experiences and value?

“We’ve expanded our portfolio to include more thoughtfully designed itineraries, including multi-country journeys and our Stay & Explore packages. These are ideal for travellers looking to spend more time in each destination, with additional nights, curated experiences, and the flexibility to truly immerse themselves rather than move quickly from place to place.

“Our global offering continues to grow, including the recent launch of Japan, featuring nine new locally hosted itineraries. This allows travellers to experience destinations more authentically, with on-the-ground expertise built into the journey.

“Luxury is also an important part of our evolution. From premium rail experiences to high-end accommodations and immersive add-ons, demand for elevated, seamless journeys continues to grow – and we’re expanding our offerings to meet it.

3.What makes rail an attractive and easy-to-sell option for Canadian travel advisors today?

“Rail is an increasingly attractive option for Canadian advisors, offering a strong combination of flexibility, value, and broad appeal across different traveller types.

“While planning a trip across multiple countries and train networks can seem complex, that’s where Railbookers makes it simple. We handle all the logistics, connections, and customization, giving advisors one seamless solution with a single point of contact – turning what could be a complicated booking into an easy sell.

“Its versatility further adds to that appeal. Rail can be positioned as a bucket-list journey, a romantic getaway, a multigenerational trip, or as part of a wider European or pre/post cruise itinerary. It also integrates seamlessly into broader travel plans, allowing advisors to enhance existing itineraries or create more immersive, multi-destination journeys.

“With a wide global portfolio and fully customizable itineraries, Railbookers gives advisors the confidence to offer something distinctive while keeping the booking process simple.”

4.What training tools, marketing assets or dedicated support resources are available to help Canadian advisors feel confident selling rail vacations, especially those who may be new to the category?

“We’re committed to making rail easy to sell, regardless of an advisor’s level of experience.

“We offer weekly live webinars focused on trending destinations, product updates, and practical ways advisors can grow their rail business. These sessions are designed to be both educational and actionable, giving advisors the confidence to position rail as a key part of their offering.

“Our Travel Advisor Toolbox also serves as a valuable resource, with a wide range of downloadable materials including brochures, guides, and maps making it easy for advisors to access, share, and sell rail vacations with confidence.

“Most importantly, our team provides hands-on support throughout the entire process. Advisors don’t need to be rail experts, they can rely on us to guide them, answer questions, and build the right itinerary for their clients.

“This combination of tools, training, and personalized support helps advisors confidently sell rail vacations.”

5.Looking ahead, what key travel trends such as multigenerational travel, slow travel or sustainable tourism are influencing your strategy, and how can Canadian advisors capitalize on these trends with Railbookers?

“Several key trends are shaping our strategy, including the continued rise of slow travel, multigenerational trips, romantic getaways, and a growing preference for more sustainable ways to explore.

“Rail aligns naturally with all of these trends. It allows travellers to slow down and enjoy the journey, offers a comfortable and convenient way for families and groups to travel together, and provides a more environmentally conscious alternative to flying. At the same time, rail is inherently romantic — whether it’s scenic journeys through the Swiss Alps or coastal routes in Italy – making it an ideal choice for couples seeking memorable, experience-driven travel.

“For Canadian advisors, the opportunity is clear. Rail travel offers a highly experiential and flexible product that resonates with today’s travellers. With Railbookers as a partner, advisors can deliver these complex, high-value itineraries with ease.

“By positioning rail as both a journey and an experience and leveraging our expertise as a one-stop shop – advisors can tap into these trends while saving time and growing their business.”

For more information, go to www.railbookers.com.