Winter Olympics Drives 32% Rise in International Luggage Shipping Enquiries

As the Winter Olympics captured global attention, new data from international luggage delivery specialists suggests the event has had a measurable impact on travel behaviour, with international luggage shipping enquiries rising by 32% compared with the same period last year.

The uplift comes at a time when winter travel remains strong worldwide as more than 20 million viewers watched the event. The International Air Transport Association forecasts that global passenger numbers will exceed 5 billion annually in the coming years, while the global ski industry continues to generate an estimated 350 million skier visits each year across Europe, North America and Asia. European resorts in particular have reported solid booking momentum this season, with renewed enthusiasm for winter sport feeding into holiday plans.

Send My Bag says the Olympic spotlight acted as a catalyst, prompting more travellers to lock in ski breaks, extended winter stays and multi stop trips abroad.

Major sporting events influence real world travel decisions

Airports are already operating at high capacity during peak winter months. Add in cold weather wardrobes, specialist gear and longer stays, and the logistics of travelling can quickly feel more complicated than the holiday itself.

According to Send My Bag, international luggage shipping enquiries increased by 32% during the Olympic period, with customers citing convenience and flexibility as the main reasons for sending their bags ahead.

Darren Johnston from Send My Bag commented:
“Major global sporting events like the Winter Olympics tend to spark action. People watch the competition and start planning their own trips. We saw a clear rise in international shipping enquiries as that inspiration turned into bookings.”

He continued:

“At this time of year, suitcases are fuller, coats are heavier and trips are often longer. Travellers are looking for ways to make the airport experience simpler. Sending luggage directly to accommodation gives them more freedom on the day they fly and removes some of the uncertainty around check in and baggage handling.”

Major sporting events often act as a trigger point, encouraging people who were already considering a trip to finally book it. Rather than short breaks, many travellers are now building longer itineraries around winter destinations, combining ski resorts with city stays or visiting multiple countries in one journey.

This shift towards more layered travel plans means people are thinking beyond flights and accommodation. How they move their belongings, how much they pack and how they manage transitions between destinations is becoming part of the overall planning process.

Our customers are increasingly arranging luggage delivery in advance of departure to simplify complex itineraries, particularly when travelling between multiple stops or staying abroad for extended periods.

The rise in shipping enquiries reflects a wider change in how people approach international travel. Planning no longer stops at booking flights and accommodation. Travellers are thinking more carefully about how they move from door to door.

Send My Bag serves customers in more than 80 countries each month, including families, students, digital nomads and professionals relocating temporarily. During globally significant moments such as the Winter Olympics, interest in travel tends to sharpen, and behaviour follows.

As international passenger numbers continue to climb, the Olympic effect appears to extend beyond the slopes. For many viewers, watching world class athletes compete is not just entertainment. It is the starting point for their next adventure.