Luxury Travel's Top International "Up and Coming" Destinations for 2015 Include Cuba

Luxury survey results from Travel Leaders Group also indicate very strong luxury travel bookings for 2015 and increased interest in Europe as U.S. Dollar strengthens.

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Travel Leaders Group

Jan 26, 2015, 12:16 ET

PLYMOUTH, Minn., Jan. 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- While Europe is far and away the most enticing getaway destination for luxury travelers from the United States, the top "up and coming" luxury experiences and destinations for 2015 include Africa Safaris, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Croatia, Vietnam and Cuba, according to today's release of the top luxury travel trends for 2015 from Travel Leaders Group. Four of the Top 5 international luxury travel destinations outside of North America are European destinations, led by European river cruises and followed by Italy, Mediterranean cruises and France. Conducted November 11 - December 8, 2014, these luxury travel trends are based on responses from 844 Travel Leaders Group owners, managers and frontline travel experts throughout the United States who identified themselves as luxury travel advisers.

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"While there is an extensive list of 'up and coming' destinations which our luxury travel clients are booking that are more exotic, our high-end travel clients are very loyal to the upscale experiences and charms – both old world and modern – that Europe offers," stated Travel Leaders Group CEO Barry Liben. "That is likely a significant factor in nearly 90% of Travel Leaders Group luxury travel agents reporting that their luxury bookings are higher than or equal to last year at this time. Nobody books more luxury travel than Travel Leaders Group agents and their expertise is second to none."

Luxury Travel Up-and-Coming Destinations:
Among the top responses when asked, "What would you say is the top up-and-coming destination for your luxury travel clients?" were such exotic destinations as: Africa Safaris, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Croatia, Vietnam and Cuba.

"When people talk about life changing travel experiences, Africa and African safaris are most certainly at the top of the list. There is something so moving and incredible about that destination, it's no wonder it's among Travel Leaders Group's 'up and coming' destinations with luxury travelers," noted Tzell President J.D. O'Hara. "The real destination to watch is Cuba, which already was appearing quite high on the list, even though the survey was launched prior to the President's announcement of a process to normalize relations. It shows how much pent up demand their truly is for legal travel to Cuba, particularly among luxury travelers who want an authentic experience before the country undergoes rapid change and modernization as a tourist destination."

The following lists display the top international destinations for Travel Leaders Group's luxury travelers in 2015.

Top Luxury Travel Destinations (Outside) North America

1	CRUISE – Europe (River)
2	Italy
3	CRUISE – Europe (Mediterranean)
4	France
5	Australia
6	England
7	CRUISE – Europe (Baltic)
8	Germany
9 (tie)	Ireland
9 (tie)	South Africa
11	CRUISE – South Pacific and Tahiti
12	Greece
13	New Zealand
14	Spain
15	Bora Bora

Top Luxury Travel Destinations (Within) North America

1	Mexico
2	CRUISE – Caribbean
3	Jamaica
4	Dominican Republic
5	Costa Rica

Top "Region" of the World for Luxury Travel:
Travel Leaders Group's luxury travel agents were asked, "When considering your luxury travelers, in which 'region' of the world are the majority of your luxury travel bookings?" The top responses included:

1	Europe – Western (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, etc.)	19.4%
2	Cruises	19.0%
3	Europe – Southern (Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal, Spain, Monaco, Italy, etc.)	17.9%
4	United Kingdom and Ireland	5.2%
5	Caribbean – Eastern	4.2%

In 2014, the top responses were, in order: Cruises, Europe – Western, Europe – Southern, South Pacific & French Polynesia, and Americas – North America

"The incredibly strong U.S. Dollar – versus the euro – is already having an impact on travel to Europe. Luxury travelers are savvy and, while they may spend more than the average American, they still want the greatest value for the money they're spending," stated Patrick Fragale, President of Protravel International. "While a trip to Italy may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many Americans, luxury travelers will go back time and time again for the rich culture, amazing history, incredible cuisine and unparalleled scenery. Because of the incredibly favorable exchange rate, plus the advantages that many luxury travelers have in terms of time and money, they are once again being enticed by Europe."

"What our luxury travel agents throughout Travel Leaders Group provide to our upscale clientele is their expertise in making certain each client's experience is a captivating one, even if the destination is more familiar," Liben added. "From securing a suite in a new, must-see luxury boutique hotel to making a reservation at the new, trendy restaurant – or making certain the concierge is intimately aware of our clients' likes and dislikes ensures the experience is pleasurable and memorable. Our travel agents are experts in the high-touch, and often high-demand, world of luxury travel."

Luxury Travel Bookings in 2015:
When Travel Leaders Group luxury agents were asked to compare their overall 2014 Luxury Travel bookings so far to their luxury travel bookings at this time last year, nearly 90% of those surveyed say bookings are higher than or on par with 2014…

For year-over-year comparable data on luxury travel bookings, data on the "Most Important Component of a Luxury Trip" and the full news release, go here.