Luxury Travelling

The luxury travelling industry is buoyant according to latest statistics, with steady growth anticipated across the niche luxury holiday sector as a whole.

In the current climate of economic uncertainty, this is indeed good news for travel agents and tour operators, not to mention the myriad associated industries that service the high-end holiday market.

Luxury Holiday Trends – The Lowdown

So, what trends have been identified in the luxury travel sector? What types of upmarket holidays are proving most popular? Statistics reveal an interesting mix. While demand for traditional luxury holidays to exclusive ‘sun, sea and sand’ destinations continues to grow, a number of new and exciting niche options are also emerging on the luxury holiday scene.

Trends and predictions for Luxury Travelling include:

 Exclusive Spa and Wellbeing Breaks: With stress levels soaring, time-starved individuals, especially those in demanding, high powered jobs, are turning in their droves for some ‘me time’ to the tranquillity and exclusivity which top, world-renowned spas are able to offer. The popularity of the ultimate pampering experience in luxury surroundings shows no signs of abating.

 Boutique Hotels: Today’s discerning traveller wants more from a luxury hotel than mere all-singing, all-dancing facilities. Clients are looking for a unique travel experience in a cosseted and preferably understated hotel environment. This is where boutique hotels around the globe have scored, in recent times. Attention to detail is paramount in such establishments, with an increasing number of boutique hotels hosted by the owners who can provide those individual touches that appeal to their demanding clientele.

 High End Family Holidays: While cheap-and-cheerful family type accommodation will always be popular, especially during school holiday periods, the demand for more upmarket family holidays is growing. Family bookings for luxury hotels and resorts, quality self-catering, and exotic destinations is strong this season. It would also appear that the traditional remit: ‘if the kids are happy, so are we’ no longer holds sway with parents and grandparents who now expect to be pampered in their own rights.

 ‘Babymoon’ Luxury Holidays: A relatively new concept where clients are taking that once-in-a-lifetime luxury holiday before stating a family, babymoon bookings are up this year. While the honeymoon market remains strong, demand for this type of luxury holiday is also set to grow.

 Older Clients’ Specialist / Activity Holidays: Today’s over 50s have huge spend power, are fitter and have more leisure time on their hands than previous generations approaching retirement. They are also more discerning and more adventurous. Luxury travel operators that target this age group are witnessing a steady increase in demand for their offerings. Activity holidays for this age group are proving particularly popular.

 Eco Friendly Luxury Travelling: Eco-awareness is becoming a big issue for all travel providers, but especially for operators that specialise in far-flung holiday destinations. Consequently, the luxury holiday market is pulling out all the stops to address these issues, by using hotels that focus on sustainable tourism. Many are also rolling out new green initiatives to absorb the costs of offsetting guests’ energy consumption in terms of flight emissions, etc.

 Specialist / Cultural Holidays: Predictions by travel operators point to cultural holidays proving by far the most popular holiday choice for up-market clients, this year. One survey, for example, showed uptake on cultural holidays at 59.5% for 2008, compared with 42.1% for 2007.

Hot Destinations for 2008

Travel agents are currently reporting that Central and South America, South East Asia as well as rural Spain are providing ideal luxury leads. Oman and Abu Dhabi are also tipped to be hot luxury destinations in the coming months.