Vacation.com® has released the results of their luxury-focused member survey, revealing a distinctive snapshot of this year’s trends with the upscale segment.
“Our members have a unique perspective on the luxury market as a third of our membership classifies their primary client base as luxury travellers,” said Christine James, Vacation.com’s Vice President, Canada.
In the specialty/niche travel trends and growth section of the survey, 56% reported that intergenerational travel, including family reunions, have seen the highest demand in 2010, followed by culinary/wine trips at 40%. Other upscale travel growth areas include cultural/heritage, adventure and honeymoons/destination weddings. In addition, many luxury travellers do not leave home without their pets; 40% of surveyed members made special flights and hotel arrangements for their clients’ pets.
The survey indicated that for the international market, Western Europe (50%), the Mediterranean (44%) and the Baltic (38%) have the highest increase in demand among members’ upscale clients. In the North American market, Hawaii has seen the greatest growth in 2010 among luxury sellers.
As for cruising, 50% reported that deep water cruises with lines like Crystal Cruises, Silversea Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises are most popular, with river cruises following at 25%. 40% reported that the all-inclusive promotions offered by the luxury cruise lines, which include shore excursions, specialty restaurant dining, prepaid gratuities and air, have brought in the highest number of booking requests.
“One of the interesting findings from this survey is that the onboard credits, which are utilized across all cruise segments, are particularly effective with lines like Crystal and Silversea at stimulating demand among upscale travellers,” said James. “In addition, some members reported that their luxury clients who have booked family reunion vacations have done so on the new build ships in the garden villas and balcony suites.”
