Search Travel Market Report

cruise planners
Quark
mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
  • News
  • Tours & Packages
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Niche & Luxury
  • Well-Being Travel
  • Training & Events
  • Who We Are
    • Anne Marie Moebes
    • Brian Israel
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Denise Caiazzo
    • Marilee Crocker
    • Paul M. Ruden
    • Dori Saltzman
Quark

What’s Hot For Luxury Travel This Summer?

by James Shillinglaw / April 19, 2016

Gondolas at Hotel Ca Sagredo in Venice. Photo: gnuckx.

Luxury travelers are focused on Italy, United Kingdom, and France as their three top foreign destinations, according to luxury travel network Virtuoso. In a survey based on future bookings, Virtuoso named those three countries as the most popular destinations, followed by Spain, Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, South Africa, Greece, and Israel.

On the other hand, while European countries continue to dominate the list of favored destinations, with eight of the 10 countries, Virtuoso said its sales to the continent are flat when compared to summer 2015. France, led by Paris, has rebounded nicely and remains strong, with Paris bookings up 35% in the first quarter alone, following last November’s terrorist attacks in that city. The Brussels terrorist attacks occurred after the survey was completed.

Bookings to the Netherlands are up 38% for this summer over the same time last year, as Virtuoso’s partner hotels report average daily rates (ADR) that are 44% lower than the European average of $793 per night. Ireland’s ADR is 31% lower than the European average, leading it to see a 58% jump in bookings.

In contrast, bookings to Turkey, which was a top 20 summer destination in 2015, has suffered after several terrorist bombings in the key cities of Istanbul and the capital of Ankara. First quarter bookings were down a whopping 70%, with a projected year over year decline of 65%.

Those countries that have seen the largest percentage of growth in year-over-year bookings so far include, Tanzania (up 98%), Portugal (up 88%), Ireland (up 58%), Brazil (up 53% despite continued media coverage of the Zika virus in that country), Mexico (up 48%), Russia (up 44%), Netherlands (up 38%), Jamaica (up 28%), Sweden (up 23%) and Poland (up 18%)  

According to Virtuoso, Africa is experiencing 15% growth in travel overall, with Tanzania seeing a huge increase in bookings, as travelers seek out its scenery and diverse wildlife. South Africa, site of this week’s Virtuoso Symposium in Cape Town, is also more bookings than last year. Together the two countries represent 80% of Virtuoso’s travel to Africa.

Portugal is also up significantly, with travel to the Azores in particular seeing an increase. Portugal’s hotel ADR is also favorable for travelers at 58% lower than the European average. Of the European countries, Portugal exhibiting the strongest growth year over year, although Ireland, Russia, Netherlands, Sweden, and Poland are running just behind it.

Despite the Zika virus scare, Brazil is seeing a big boost due to the Summer Olympics, set for Aug 5-21. Mexico and Jamaica, more typical winter travel destinations, are benefiting from inexpensive direct flights from the U.S. as well as lower hotel rates.  

The new survey is based on data sourced from Virtuoso’s U.S. and Canadian-based travel agency members and reflects future travel for June, July, and August 2016. The Top and Hot 10 lists represent international travel only, so the U.S. and Canada are not mentioned. The findings were announced during the Virtuoso Symposium taking place in Cape Town this week.

  2
  0
Related Articles
Headquarter Happenings: Virtuoso Stays Focused on Connection, Sustainability & Growth
Advising the Wealthy: Travel Agents Need to Save Clients From Themselves
Virtuoso Names Its Five Hottest Luxury Hotel Openings
Forbes Says ‘Now, More Than Ever, You Need To Find A Good Travel Agent’
Virtuoso’s Upchurch: The Definition Of Travel Agent Has Changed
Forbes Magazine Highlights Virtuoso Lodging Leaders
One On One With Virtuoso’s Matthew Upchurch: A Bright Future For Travel Advisors
Cruise Veteran Bill Smith Retires As Virtuoso VP-Cruise Sales
TRAVELSAVERS and NEST Now Offering OnlineXpress
The Luxury Market Gets Adventurous

MOST VIEWED

Brought To You By
  1. Federal Mask Mandate on Planes and Public Transportation No Longer in Effect
  2. How Is the War in Ukraine Affecting the European River Cruise 2022 Season?
  3. European Union Will Drop Its Mask Mandate for Travel Next Week
  4. Despite CDC News, Masks Still Required at New York Airports
  5. 5 Client Types You Can Immediately Disqualify for a Virgin Voyages Cruise
  6. Trivago Hit With Massive Fine from Australian Federal Court Because of “Misleading” Conduct

MOST EMAILED

Brought To You By
  1. European Union Will Drop Its Mask Mandate for Travel Next Week
  2. Federal Mask Mandate on Planes and Public Transportation No Longer in Effect
  3. How Is the War in Ukraine Affecting the European River Cruise 2022 Season?
  4. Japan Could Reopen to North Americans Next Month
  5. 5 Client Types You Can Immediately Disqualify for a Virgin Voyages Cruise
  6. Advising Clients in a Maskless Travel World
Quark
TMR Subscription

Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth coverage, analysis of industry news, trends and issues that affect how you do business. Subscribe now for free.

Subscribe to TMR

Top Stories
CDC Moves Four Destinations Into “High” Risk COVID-19 Level
CDC Moves Four Destinations Into “High” Risk COVID-19 Level

One of the four countries is no longer accepting paper proof of vaccination upon entry. 

Read...
Emperor Quest: Snow Hill Island, Antarctica
Emperor Quest: Snow Hill Island, Antarctica

In 2004, a contingent of the Quark Expeditions team—widely regarded as the Leader in Polar Adventures—made Antarctic history when they conducted the first-ever ground visit to the remote Emperor penguin colony near Snow Hill Island. Driven by a true expeditionary spirit—and guided by years of polar expertise—the Quark Expeditions team sailed past masses of dense ice and apartment building-sized tabular icebergs in the Weddell Sea to experience the legendary rookery, which now numbers 8,000 breeding pairs of emperor penguins and their chicks. Today, it’s one of the most exclusive wildlife viewing experiences on the planet.

Read...
Carnival Breaks Ground on New Cruise Port Destination on Grand Bahama Island
Carnival Breaks Ground on New Cruise Port Destination on Grand Bahama Island

The new port destination is expected to open in late 2024 and will feature a pool, nature reserve and more. 

Read...
European Union Will Drop Its Mask Mandate for Travel Next Week
European Union Will Drop Its Mask Mandate for Travel Next Week

The EU is set to match the U.S. in dropping its facemask mandate.

Read...
CDC Upgrades British Virgin Islands’ COVID-19 Advisory Category
CDC Upgrades British Virgin Islands’ COVID-19 Advisory Category

The BVI is the only destination to be upgraded this week. 

Read...
Disney World 2022: Why Now Is a Great Time to Sell a Walt Disney World Trip
Disney World 2022: Why Now Is a Great Time to Sell a Walt Disney World Trip

How do you approach a client who wants to maximize value from a Disney trip? 

Read...
TMR Outlooks
Multi-Gen Outlook
Distribution Outlook (1)
New to Cruise Outlook
Expedition 2020
Wellness Outlook
River Cruise Outlook 2019
View All
Advertiser's Voice
https://img.youtube.com/vi/6zh4N0uQSV0/0.jpg
Check-In Episode 24: What's the Most Important Skill for Travel Advisors?
About Travel Market Report Mission Editorial Staff Advisory Board Advertise
TMR Resources Webinars Calendar of Events
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
71 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
News|Leisure Travel|Land Vacations|Cruise|Canada Retail Strategies|Well-Being|Luxury|Training
© 2005 - 2022 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | 243 South Street, Oyster Bay, NY, 11771 USA | Telephone (516) 730-3097| Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy