The latest travel trends are always in motion Thus, a variety of pollsters are, at any one time, taking the pulse of the travel industry. As the seasons change and holidays approach, surveying travelers on their upcoming needs, wants and plans has become all the more important as a way to gage travel’s recovery and where travel trends are heading.

Most recently, Tripadvisor’s 2021 Winter Index of travel trends is noting that some 24% of Americans are still undecided about winter travel. Only about a third (30%) have already booked their trip, but three-quarters (74%) of those who haven’t yet are waiting until November or December to do so, so we may end up seeing significantly more travelers hit the road as the coldest season further approaches.

Although the latest travel trends show that vast majority (94%) of travelers will confine their travel plans to the U.S., Americans are looking to broaden their horizons and experience new things this winter, as more than a third (37%) are planning to travel somewhere they haven’t been before and over a third (42%) have booked a tour or activity.

So, where are Americans traveling this year? New York City is back on top in the U.S. for the first time since the start of pandemic, as the most popular destination and home to the most-booked experience this winter. With the Rockefeller Center lit up in gorgeous holiday displays and windows along Fifth Avenue in Christmas dress, it’s no surprise this city is topping travelers’ winter wish lists.

10 Top Winter Destinations for Americans:

1. New York City, N.Y.
2. Orlando, Fla.
3. Las Vegas, Nev.
4. Key West, Fla.
5. Miami Beach, Fla.
6. Nashville, Tenn.
7. Chicago, Ill.
8. Anaheim, Calif.
9. Los Angeles, Calif.
10. Savannah, Ga.

Trending seaside destinations from fall surveys (Myrtle Beach, Ocean City, Honolulu, Virginia Beach) are out, as more cities (Los Angeles, Savannah) are popping back into the mix. Anaheim, home to Disneyland, is resurging in popularity.

After a year of missing loved ones, visiting them this season is a priority. The most common destination people want to visit is family and friends’ houses (61%), followed by the city (39%) and the beach (37%). And, most are traveling with their immediate family (50%) or significant other (41%).

As for overseas destinations calling American travelers as borders open (and then reclose, the 10 fastest growing destinations for Americans (from fall 2021 to winter 2021) are:

1. Paris, France
2. London, United Kingdom
3. Rome, Italy
4. Naples, Italy
5. Seven Mile Beach, Cayman Islands
6. Soufriere, St. Lucia
7. Freeport, Maine, United States
8. St. John’s, Antigua
9. San Pedro, Belize
10. Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Trending Travel Activities this Season 

Travelers are loving Cultural Tours, 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours, and Museum Tickets & Passes, as these are the top three types of experiences Americans are booking this winter. A mix of rich culture and active adventures, the most-booked experiences for the season range from an ATV waterfall tour in Hawaii to historical classics like the Grand Ole Opry and 9/11 Memorial.

Top 10 Most-Booked Travel Experiences:

1. New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour – New York City, N.Y.
2. Night Manta Ray Adventure – Island of Hawaii, Hawaii
3. Kauai ATV Waterfall Tour – Kauai, Hawaii
4. Turtle Canyon Catamaran Snorkel Cruise – Oahu, Hawaii
5. Grand Canyon West Rim Bus Tour & Hoover Dam Photo Stop with optional Skywalk – Las Vegas, Nev.
6. 9/11 Memorial Museum Admission Ticket – New York City, N.Y.
7. Charleston’s Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour – Charleston, S.C.
8. Key West Sunset Sail with Full Bar, Live Music & Hors D’oeuvres – Key West, Fla.
9. Full-Day Iconic Sights of LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Beaches and More – Los Angeles, Calif.
10. Grand Ole Opry House Guided Backstage Tour in Nashville – Nashville, Tenn.

The Best Winter Activities:

* Winter In The Park – Estes Park Guided Tours – Estes Park, Colo.

* Dog Sledding and Mushing Experience – Fairbanks, Ala.

* Winter Yellowstone Tour (With Optional Hike or Snowshoe) – Gardiner, Mont.

* Guided Snowshoe Excursion – Park City, Utah

* Half Day Ice Climbing in Telluride – Telluride, Colo.

The Best Festive Experiences

+Dyker Heights Brooklyn Christmas Lights Tour – Brooklyn, N.Y

+Savannah Holiday Lights Trolley Tour – Savannah, Ga.

+2-Hour Chicago Holiday Lights Segway Tour – Chicago, Ill.

+Holiday Lights Tour of San Francisco – San Francisco, Calif.

+New York City Cocoa and Carols Holiday Cruise – New York City, N.Y.

 

Most Popular Destinations

-NYC

-Las Vegas, Nev.

-Cancun, Mexico

-Honolulu, Hawaii

-Chicago, Ill.

-Boston, Mass.

-Key West, Fla.

-Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

-Paris, France

-Miami Beach, Fla.

 

Most Booked Hotels 2021

-Venetian Resort/ Las Vegas, Nev.

-Barbary Beach House Key West/ Key West, Fla.

-Freehand New York/ New York City, N.Y.

-The Palazzo at the Venetian/ Las Vegas, Nev.

-Hotel Xcaret Mexico/ Riviera Maya, Mexico

-Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort/ Waikiki, Hawaii

-Havana Cabana at Key West/ Key West, Fla.

-Allegretto Vineyard Resort Paso Robles/ Paso Robles, Calif.

-Akumal Bay Beach & Wellness Resort/ Riviera Maya, Mexico

-Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile/ Chicago, Ill.

 

Most-Booked Destination Experiences

+Chicago Architecture River Cruise/ Chicago, Ill.

+Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica/ Rome, Italy

+Turtle Canyon Catamaran Snorkel/ Oahu, Hawaii

+Catamaran Cruise with Greek Buffet and Drinks/ Santorini, Greece

+Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise/ Paris, France

+Harvard University Campus Guided Walking Tour/ Boston, Mass.

+Boston Duck Boat Sightseeing City Tour with Cruise Along Charles River/ Boston, Mass.

+Chief’s Luau Admission/ Oahu, Hawaii

+Eiffel Tower “Skip the Line and Small Group Tour” with Summit Access by elevator/ Paris, France

+Colosseum Underground and Ancient Rome Semi-Private Tour/ Rome, Italy

Latest Look at Luxury Travel

As countries reopen their borders and international air travel resumes, pent-up demand for hard-earned vacations is driving new luxury travel trends. Travel advisors and experts from the Global Travel Collection (GTC) recently shared key insights from travel bookings at “Elevate,” the international virtual conference and trade show that brought together luxury travel advisors with 300 of the industry’s leading luxury travel suppliers.

All Star Travel Group is made up of top brands in luxury travel: Andrew Harper, Colletts Travel, In The Know Experiences, Protravel International, R. Crusoe & Son and Tzell Travel Group, along with advisors from ALTOUR, a sister company of GTC at Internova Travel Group.

– Luxury is being redefined. Luxury travel advisor Maya George of Tzell Travel Group notes luxury travel is now more than expensive five-star hotels and first-class flights. It’s the total package from beginning to end, and the connections made through the travel experience.

– Planning for travel is now done farther out. Tiffany Bowne of All Star Travel Group shares that she’s already booking summer and fall 2022 trips for clients, many of whom are also using a travel advisor for the first time. They’re also booking multiple luxury trips at a time.

– Travelers are spending more. It’s been almost two years since some clients have taken a trip, said Scott Davis of ALTOUR, so they’re willing to pay more for their next vacation.

High Dollar Destinations in Demand

+ Brazil is trending worldwide, according to Wagner Barros of Colletts Travel. “Some places in Brazil remind travelers of the Maldives,” he says.

+ Exotic, far-off destinations are still in demand. Travelers are traveling to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia for sports fishing, said luxury travel advisor Paulette Darensburg of Protravel International. Maya George adds, there’s also a huge buzz around Zanzibar and Roatan, Honduras.

+ Travelers still flock to the Caribbean and Mexico for privacy. Amy Blackenship of ALTOUR explains that private villas are plentiful here, and these destinations are reached easily by private air.

What Luxury Travelers Want

*Safety and ease of entry are paramount. Luxury travel advisor Leslie Tillem of Tzell Travel Group says clients are constantly asking questions about travel requirements and health and safety protocols. This is expected to continue well into the next few years.

*People want something different. Lily Szemplinski of In The Know Experiences shares clients want all the details of their trips taken care of so they can seek out new experiences that are inspiring and enlightening.

*Luxury travel is evolving in ways that connect people with luxury products. Kamala Cummings of In The Know Experiences notes her clients are looking at travel as a means to rejuvenate their souls. They’re seeking experiences and accommodations that are infused with gastronomy, art and fashion.

*Luxury travelers are also seeking sustainability. Wagner Barros continues this is a trend that is going to stay as clients are increasingly asking for eco-friendly hotels and operators.

Accommodations for the Well Heeled Set

+ Luxury is not necessarily opulent hotels anymore. It is becoming more experiential and cultural, based within offerings at a property and within the destination itself, shares Stephen Scott, Protravel International.

+ Small boutique resorts and villas offer an ideal escape. Small boutique resorts and villas are the most sought-after accommodations, along with private yachts, notes Linda Seargent of Tzell Travel Group. Travelers want access to resort amenities but with the private space.

+ Domestically, luxury clients are looking for properties outside of major cities. What the pandemic has shown is we need more hotels in these areas, shares Ashley Les of Protravel International.

 

 

New Transportation Choices

– Space travel is piquing interest. Greg Kiep of Protravel International notes space travel is something that, though still new to the luxury travel space, will continue to gain interest over the next five years.

– More are opting for trains over flights. Quality alone time is underestimated, says Maya George. Some travelers are preferring to take longer routes or different methods of travel, such as long, scenic train rides, to get away.

– Cruising makes a big comeback. There is heightened interest in luxury river cruising, particularly in Europe, for 2022 and 2023, comments Paulette Darensburg. World cruises are selling out in record time, notes Scott Davis.

“Our travel advisors are trusted counsellors with insider knowledge of emerging trends in the luxury travel space, and they know how to deliver these experiences to their clients seamlessly,” said Angie Licea, President of Global Travel Collection. “They are becoming more of a concierge with their service levels. For the ultra-luxury clientele everything must be done correctly. They look after their travelers every step of the way, saving clients the time and hassle of having to make any necessary changes to their itinerary on their own.”

Internova Travel Group recently launched its “Go Human. Book Human.” advertising campaign to promote the value of a travel advisor as the complexity of travel continues in the wake of the pandemic. At the heart of the campaign is an immersive web experience that connects consumers directly with travel advisors.