Luxury Travel Trends Agent Survey Puts Italy On Top Again

by James Shillinglaw October 13, 2016

Italy’s Almalfi coast. Photo: Glen MacLarty

A new luxury travel trends survey finds affluent American travelers are still traveling to Italy, which is the number-one ranked destination for travelers in the coming 12 months. The 2016 Fall Travel Trends Survey of 1,145 luxury travel-selling travel agents under the Travel Leaders Group umbrella was conducted from July 28 to Aug. 24, 2016.

The top luxury “destinations”—either by country or cruise itinerary—are, in order: Italy, European river cruising, United States, Australia, Mexico, Ireland, Cruise-Caribbean, France and England (tie), Iceland, South Africa, New Zealand, Jamaica, Costa Rica and Cuba.

According to the survey, 84% of travel agents surveyed said bookings are higher than or on par with 2015, with 39% saying bookings are higher, 45% saying bookings are even, and 16% saying bookings are lower.

Asked to name the top three expectations of luxury travel clients when it comes to resort amenities, the agents cited, in order: fine dining, private concierge-level access, spa, personalized or private check in/check out, and butler service.

For luxury travel clients seeking land-based accommodations, the top selections booked by their travel agent include: five-star hotels and resorts, suites within five-star hotels and resorts, and suites within hotels and resorts with a rating of five-star or higher. For luxury travel clients seeking a luxury experience on ship, travel agents said they booked most of those clients on (in order) luxury cruise ships, suites on luxury cruise ships and river cruises.