The United States Named as Most Popular Destination for Luxury Summer Travel
Virtuoso, the world’s leading luxury travel advisor, has revealed that the United States is the most popular destination for luxury summer travel in 2021. This conclusion is drawn from the analysis of over $63.6 billion in transactions from wealthy globetrotters. The ranking consisted of the most sought-after vacation destinations among luxury travelers. Travelers are choosing the US as their primary destination this summer over popular European hotspots like Spain, Italy, and France. Canada rounds out the top five most popular summer travel destinations this year, followed by the United Kingdom, Greece, Ireland, Switzerland, and Portugal.
Virtuoso noted a change in travel trends, with more travelers using their passports this summer compared to last. The report showed that travel to the US is down 12% compared to last summer, meaning that more travelers are choosing destinations outside of the US. Luxury travelers are also exploring off-the-beaten-path places like the surf town of Biarritz, France, the Rioja wine region of Spain, Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, and the small town of Elounda on the Greek island of Crete.
Virtuoso also points out that London continues to be a hit destination among luxury travelers. London’s impressive lineup of summer events, including Wimbledon (July 13-16), BBC Proms (July 19-September 9), and Fashion Week (from September 15 to 19), is driving more visitors.
2023 bookings are 91% higher than 2019 before 2020 and 62% higher than 2022, according to Virtuoso. Meanwhile, Virtuoso partner hotel bookings are 193% higher than 2019 and 77% in 2022. Hotel Average Daily Rates (ADRs) for summer 2023 are averaging nearly $1,700 per night, which is 69 percent more than in 2019.
The future looks bright for Virtuoso and its network of travel agency members as a recent study from Credit Suisse’s Global Wealth Report found that the target market of high-value travelers is expected to grow 34 percent, outpacing 62 million worldwide over the next five years.
Luxury travel is showing significant growth, with cruises showing 55 percent higher bookings compared to 2019, according to Virtuoso. Luxury travelers are increasingly seeking unique experiences in exclusive destinations. As such, travel agencies continue to be a popular choice for these travelers, and Virtuoso plans to continue being a valuable resource for luxury travel booking and experiences.
Overall, Virtuoso’s recent analysis indicates that the luxury travel industry is poised for a strong recovery in the coming years. High-value travelers are looking to indulge in unique experiences and elite destinations, and travel agencies will continue to cater to these travelers’ needs.
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