| In preparation for next year's business arena, | | | | become aware of a growing market trend, in that |
| many industry professionals have begun | | | | luxury travelers are actively seeking out a |
| forecasting trends with regard to the luxury | | | | customized, uniquely exotic travel experience. |
| travel market. A recent survey of seasoned | | | | Simply put, travelers are looking for exciting new |
| travelers, as well as discerning travel professionals | | | | destinations, the ultimate in adventure and thrilling, |
| listed that we can expect everything from niche | | | | new experiences. Luxury adventure travel is on |
| luxury cruises to customized adventure travel to | | | | the rise and consumers can enjoy a vast |
| exotic, albeit remote destinations. Having studied | | | | selection of luxury options. Some of these options |
| these luxury travel trend predictions, relevant | | | | include, but are not limited to luxury safaris, heli-ski |
| survey results and many travel professionals' | | | | trips, niche boat cruises, and even high-speed car |
| insights, this is the current outlook for 2010. | | | | tours in top vacation destinations like Cape Town, |
| Mirroring the current economic atmosphere and | | | | Provence, Tuscany and New York. Those looking |
| more specifically the existing credit crunch, | | | | for a slightly slower pace with a little relaxation |
| consumers are on the lookout for a bargain. It | | | | thrown in may opt for personalized art tours and |
| stands to reason then, that value for money will | | | | tailor-made culinary courses. |
| be at the top of the list for potential travelers, | | | | Green travel is not a newcomer to the luxury |
| with concept and branding taking a backseat in | | | | travel market, but with environmental issues at |
| the coming years. Both luxury hotel and tour | | | | the forefront of many people's minds, eco-travel |
| operators have the ability to thrive if they can | | | | is enjoying not only resurgence, but a definite |
| demonstrate the worth of paying a little extra in | | | | growth spurt as well. It is predicted that 2010 will |
| order to gain an outstanding experience. | | | | see the development of eco-friendly destinations; |
| Now more than ever perspective travelers are | | | | a direct result of a continued growth pattern of |
| looking for an unsurpassed price/quality ratio | | | | intimate, sustainable villa resorts. More than likely |
| when selecting their luxury vacation. Reflecting the | | | | the upcoming year will bring a further increase in |
| highly competitive travel market, consumers will | | | | the number of operators offering greener travel |
| seek out top of the line locations, amenities and | | | | options. |
| services at a price they feel offers them the | | | | Certainly these trends will not necessarily occur |
| best value for their dollar. Successful travel | | | | verbatim or even overnight. Since change takes |
| advisors will be proficient in providing the optimal | | | | time, the process will be gradual, but the luxury |
| available products for their clients at the right | | | | travel industry is evolving and as a result, I do |
| price. | | | | believe we will see some exciting options in the |
| Travel industry professionals have recently | | | | not so distant future. |