The world of opulent adventures and luxury travel, lavish escapes doesn’t need to remain a mystery.
Renowned for its expertise in trend forecasting, Virtuoso has once again lifted the veil on the future of luxury travel. With an unparalleled wealth of data gathered from a vast network of travel advisors, esteemed partners, and high-net-worth individuals, Virtuoso’s report on Autumn and Festive Travel for 2023 highlights where, how, and what the world’s most discerning travellers are loving lately.
The best luxury vacation destinations right now
The United States, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, and Mexico are the primary global destinations for autumn travel. Among city breaks, Paris, London, and Florence are the most sought-after choices for travellers looking for a fall getaway.
Galapagos Islands: Photo by Alan Alquist on Unsplash
Luxury travel: Supporting local cultures
Cultural sustainability has also emerged as a driving force in luxury tourism, with 64 percent of travellers committed to supporting Indigenous communities and contributing to the restoration of cultural sites.
Looking to experience Canadian Indigenous-owned tourism? Luxury resorts and hotels like Klahoose Wilderness Resort in Destination Sound, B.C., Nemiah Valley Lodge in Chilcotin, B.C., and Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations in Wendake, QC, offer incredible cultural experiences to guests.
Privacy, please
Many affluent travellers experienced the joys of private travel experiences during the pandemic, and now it’s a luxury many are unwilling to give up.
“Private aviation is climbing in popularity for domestic and shorter international flights,” the Virtuoso report states. An increase in private travel is also accurate for those who enjoy exploring new destinations on the water. Virtuoso reports a 79 per cent increase in yachting demand since 2019, notably in destinations like The Caribbean, Croatia, Greece, and St Tropez.
Yachts aren’t the only way travellers explore the world’s most beautiful coastlines. Cruise sales for the rest of the year have risen by 44 percent compared to 2022, indicating that the window for securing exceptional luxury cruise deals is narrowing. For travellers that enjoy exclusive travel experiences but don’t want to go necessarily private, options like The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, which offers suites on a superyacht for 298 guests, is an excellent choice.
Related: Luxury Yachts: The Investment You Didn’t Know You Needed
The United States, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, and Mexico are the primary global destinations for autumn travel. Among city breaks, Paris, London, and Florence are the most sought-after choices for travellers looking for a fall getaway.
Photo by Carles Rabada on Unsplash
Prioritizing health and wellness
Vacations have always been a time to relax and unwind, and now this has become even more of a priority. Ninety-four percent of travellers in Virtuoso’s survey report incorporating self-care experiences during their holiday.
If you’re hoping to use your trip as a time to reset your body and mind, Iceland, Bali, Fiji, and Thailand are some of the most popular wellness destinations right now, Virtuoso reports. Of course, a wellness trip to Iceland is incomplete without visits to the country’s best natural hot springs.
Photo by Alex Bertha on Unsplash
Food and wine: The keys to luxury travellers’ hearts
Eating incredible food and drinking regional wines are always some of the most memorable moments of any trip, so the trend in luxury culinary travel doesn’t come as a surprise. Among Baby Boomers and Gen-Xers clients, 20 percent of holidays have food and wine as the main focus, Virtuoso reports.
For luxury travellers passionate about wining and dining, 47 percent spend between $10,000 and $25,000 per trip. Portugal, Copenhagen, Croatia and Colombia are some of the most popular culinary capitals.
Related: Have You Ever Had Australian Wine?
Photo by Hari Nandakumar on Unsplash
Adventure now
Virtuoso has found that luxury travellers are seeking activities requiring greater mental and physical exertion.
“There’s a rising interest in scientific expeditions like shadowing researchers in Antarctica and the Galapagos, and C-suite clients are indulging in activities that push beyond the typical comforts,” the report states.
Similarly, thirty-four percent of high-net-worth individuals surveyed actively seek adventure travel experiences like sand-surfing in the Sahara or hot-air ballooning over Turkey.
Angela Serednicki is a Toronto-based lifestyle journalist specializing in travel, health and wellness content. She’s written for some of Canada’s top publications, including Best Health, Reader’s Digest Canada, The Globe and Mail, Today’s Parent, The Huffington Post and MSN.com. After working with the largest luxury-focused travel agency in North America, Angela has become even more passionate about the incredible bespoke travel experiences the world has to offer. Angela is a proud graduate of Ryerson University’s School of Journalism.
