NEW YORK, April 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Global luxury
travel network Virtuoso®, renowned as a leading trend
forecaster, has analyzed its data warehouse of $40.7 billion in transactions to reveal the top
destinations for upscale travelers this summer, as well as the
fastest-growing places of interest. While European countries
continue to attract the most visitors, the ranking of the hottest
locales displays surprising diversity, showcasing comeback
destinations as well as others that may be starting an upward
trajectory.
The Virtuoso Top 10:
The most popular destinations for
summer vacations based on future bookings.
1. United
Kingdom
6. Greece
2.
Italy
7. Germany
3.
Canada
8. Netherlands
4.
France
9. Ireland
5. South
Africa
10. Spain
The Top 10 Analysis: Europe remains eternally popular for summer
travel, with eight countries cracking the Top 10. Its blend of
landmark attractions, luxury accommodations, and distinctive
cultures attracts all types of travelers from families to
honeymooners and art fans to culinary enthusiasts. The boom in
river cruising has boosted the popularity of countries such as
Germany, opening up the
opportunity to explore tucked away villages. The Netherlands draws in travelers with its
all-around beauty, charm and history. Canada also finishes strongly thanks to its
vibrant cities, gorgeous nature and proximity to the U.S.
South Africa, already renowned as
an adventure and family destination, is also garnering attention
for its arts and culinary scene in locales like Cape Town as well.
The Virtuoso Hot 10:
The countries that have seen the
largest percentage of growth in year-over-year bookings.
1.
Greece
6. Morocco
2.
Poland
7. Turks and Caicos
Islands
3. Dominican
Republic
8. St. Lucia
4. New
Zealand
9. Vietnam
5.
Zambia
10. Egypt
The Hot 10 Analysis: Emerging from its financial
upheaval, Greece is this summer's
fastest-growing destination due to pent-up demand. Its combination
of ancient attractions and stunning scenery beckons travelers to
return this year. Poland, a gem of
Eastern Europe, is also seeing
luxury traveler growth. It offers the same alluring history as the
rest of the continent, but with better value and less-touristed
sights. As adventurers seek the next great African safari
destination, they're turning to Zambia, which boasts varied experiences
alongside new luxury infrastructure. Travelers escaping the harried
pace of daily life are fueling the popularity of island nations
such as the Dominican Republic,
Turks and Caicos, and St. Lucia,
all of which had minimal to no impact from the September 2017 hurricanes.
Data is sourced from Virtuoso's U.S. and Canadian travel agency
members and reflects future travel for June, July and August 2018.
About Virtuoso
Virtuoso® is the leading
international travel agency network specializing in luxury and
experiential travel. This by-invitation-only organization comprises
over 1,000 travel agency partners with 17,500 elite travel advisors
in more than 45 countries throughout North America, Latin
America, the Caribbean,
Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. Drawing upon its preferred
relationships with 1,700 of the world's best hotels and resorts,
cruise lines, airlines, tour companies and premier destinations,
the network provides its upscale clientele with exclusive
amenities, rare experiences and privileged access. More than (U.S.)
$23.7 billion in annual travel sales
makes Virtuoso a powerhouse in the luxury travel industry. For more
information, visit www.virtuoso.com.
Media
Contacts:
Misty Ewing
Belles Lauren
Wintemberg
Managing Director, Global Public
Relations
Account Director
Virtuoso
Alice Marshall Public Relations
Phone:
202.553.8817 Phone:
212.861.4031
Email:
mewing@virtuoso.com Email:
lauren@alicemarshall.com
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SOURCE Virtuoso