Earlier this week I was in Las Vegas for the 31st-annual Virtuoso Travel Week. I stayed at the Bellagio Las Vegas (home of the world-famous fountains) and had a great time. The seven-day mega-event (which will wrap tomorrow) again brought out some of the biggest names in travel. And Virtuoso, the host and the world’s leading international luxury travel agency network, once again did a lot to shape the world of luxury travel over the next year and beyond.
Using data from its network (20,000 travel advisors), Virtuoso also shared insights into the habits of luxury travelers in 2019. It revealed, for example, where luxury-seeking Americans are traveling this fall and holiday season. The top 10:
- United States
- Italy
- United Kingdom
- France
- South Africa
- Israel
- Australia
- Germany
- Japan
- Spain
Even more interesting in my opinion is the list of fastest-growing luxury destinations among American travelers, also revealed this week. A few of these emerging luxury destinations surprised me. How about you?
- Uruguay (+286% jump in year-over-year bookings)
- Maldives (+171%)
- Malta (+140%)
- Romania (+135%)
- Egypt (+122%)
- Puerto Rico (+120%)
- Rwanda (+114%)
- Qatar (+101%)
- South Korea (+98%)
- Norway (+96%)
And in a press release publicizing these insights, Virtuoso supplemented the list with the following analysis:
“The Virtuoso Luxe Report determined the prevailing travel motivator for 2019 is exploring new destinations, and U.S. travelers are seeking fresh adventures amidst the fairytale castles of Romania, historic sites of Malta and fjords of Norway. Uruguay’s award-winning wineries, pleasant climate, and adventure opportunities make it a sought-after destination for the season. The Middle East remains popular, with Egypt and Qatar enticing visitors with less-explored cuisines, bustling markets, and desert excursions, while Puerto Rico and the Maldives provide beach retreats for relaxation-focused travelers.”
What luxury destinations do you love or want to travel to?
Share in the comments below!