PLYMOUTH, Minn., Oct. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Travel
Leaders Group released its Fall Luxury Travel
Trends findings, based on a survey of luxury travel
agents under the Travel Leaders Group umbrella. Among the top
destinations for luxury travel in the coming 12 months,
Italy leads the way,
followed by European river cruises, the United States, Mediterranean
cruises and Australia,
respectively. In addition, 84% of the agent experts surveyed state
that their luxury travel bookings are higher than or on par with
this time last year and that the top resort amenities
expected by their affluent clientele includes: fine
dining, private concierge-level access, spas,
personalized or private check in/check out, and butler
service. These luxury travel trends are based on responses from
785 Travel Leaders Group's luxury travel agent experts across the
U.S.
"The allure of Italy is
stronger than ever, particularly with affluent travelers who are
seeking authentic, enriching experiences paired with a multitude of
very high-end accommodations. Add to that the favorable exchange
rate, and Italy is a huge magnet
within the luxury sphere for American travelers," stated Travel
Leaders Group CEO Ninan Chacko.
"There are so many culturally and geographically intriguing
destinations that made our list – from Cuba and South
Africa to New Zealand and
Iceland, and even the U.S., which
has a rich diversity of top drawer, discreet destinations for VIP
travelers."
Luxury Travel Top Destinations:
The top three "destinations" – either by country or cruise
itinerary – that the surveyed luxury agents said their most
discriminating clients are booking or inquiring about over the next
year are Italy, European
river cruising and the United
States. Upwardly-trending destinations such as
Iceland, New Zealand and Cuba were also among the Top 15
destinations affluent clientele are seeking for vacations according
to Travel Leaders Group's luxury travel agents.
1
|
Italy
|
2
|
Cruise – Europe
(River)
|
3
|
United
States
|
4
|
Cruise – Europe
(Mediterranean)
|
5
|
Australia
|
6
|
Mexico
|
7
|
Ireland
|
8
|
Cruise –
Caribbean
|
9
|
France
|
10 (tie)
|
England
|
10 (tie)
|
Iceland
|
11
|
South
Africa
|
12
|
New
Zealand
|
13
|
Jamaica
|
14
|
Costa Rica
|
15
|
Cuba
|
Luxury Travelers' Expected Resort
Amenities:
When Travel Leaders Group's luxury travel agents were asked
"What are the Top 3 expectations for your luxury travel clients
when it comes to resort amenities?" the leading responses
included: (1) "Fine Dining," (2) "Private Concierge-Level
Access" and a (3) "Spa" – followed closely by
"Personalized or Private Check In/Check Out" and "Butler Service,"
respectively.
"Selecting the right destination is just the beginning of what
affluent travelers desire. Sophisticated local cuisine offers a
culturally-immersive experience and is important to a significant
number of our high-end clientele, including millennial travelers,"
stated Gail Grimmett, President of
Protravel International and Tzell Travel Group, both renowned for
their best-in-class luxury advisors. "Our survey also clearly
identified that simplifying and personalizing aspects of the trip
with private check-in and check-out, private concierge-level access
and butler service are musts for our clientele. In fact, each is
expected, and that's important for our industry partners to
recognize."
Chacko agreed. "It takes a professional with first-hand
expertise and the proper training in high-end service to truly
delight the affluent client. As the largest seller of
luxury travel, our travel agents take great pride in customizing
and tailoring each itinerary for each individual seeking this level
of inspired travel."
Top Accommodations for Luxury Travelers:
For luxury travel clients seeking land-based
accommodations, the top selections booked by their luxury
travel agent include: (1) 5-Star Hotels and Resorts, (2)
Suites within 5-Star Hotels and Resorts, and (3) Suites
within Hotels and Resorts with a rating of 5-Star + (plus) or
higher.
For luxury travel clients seeking a luxury experience on a
ship or vessel, Travel Leaders Group's luxury travel agents
were asked what they are booking most for their clients and the top
responses were: (1) Luxury Cruise Ships, (2) Suites on
Luxury Cruise Ships and (3) River Cruises.
Overall Luxury Travel Bookings:
When Travel Leaders Group luxury travel agents were asked to
compare their overall 2016 luxury travel bookings so far to their
luxury travel bookings at this time last year, 84% of
those surveyed said bookings are higher than or on par with
2015.
Bookings are
Higher
|
39%
|
Bookings are
Even
|
45%
|
Bookings are
Lower
|
16%
|
These findings on luxury travel are part of the larger
2016 Fall Travel Trends Survey conducted by
Travel Leaders Group from July 28 - August
24, 2016. Participants in the full survey included 1,145
travel agent experts from the flagship Travel Leaders brand, along
with those affiliated with Travel Leaders Group's Cruise
Specialists, Nexion, Protravel International, Results! Travel,
Travel Leaders Corporate, Tzell Travel Group and Vacation.com
units.
Travel Leaders Group is one of North
America's largest travel companies – encompassing nearly
one-third of all travel agents – and generated gross travel sales
of approximately $21 billion in 2015.
Travel Leaders Group is a leader in both the retail travel agency
space and corporate travel, and it consistently ranks as one of the
top travel companies nationwide.
Contact:
|
Steve
Loucks
|
Kathy
Gerhardt
|
|
763-744-3797
|
763-744-3710
|
|
sloucks@travelleaders.com
|
kgerhardt@travelleaders.com
|
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SOURCE Travel Leaders Group