According to the 2016 Fall Travel Trends Survey, Italy still ranks as the top luxury travel destination for affluent American travelers, and will remains so for the next year at least.
The top luxury destinations in order of popularity are: Italy, European river cruising, United States, Australia, Mexico, Ireland, Cruise-Caribbean, France and England with a tie, Iceland, South Africa, New Zealand, Jamaica, Costa Rica, and Cuba.
These numbers came from 1,145 travel agents who set up luxury trips, and 84 percent of them said that booking numbers have been higher than or equal to numbers in 2016 compared to 2015. Only 16 percent of travel agents said their booking were lower, while 39 percent said they are higher, and 45 percent said they are even.
The travel agents were also asked about what their luxury clients expect when it comes to resort amenities, and at the top of that list was fine dining. Next was private access to the concierge, the spa, a personalized or private way of checking in and out, and then having access to a butler service.
Travelers booking luxury travel tend to request five-star hotels when they are staying on land, and suites on luxury cruise ships when they are taking part on ocean and river cruises.
