Summer temperatures in Las Vegas soared — like an Olympic pole vaulter — above the 100-degree mark during Virtuoso Travel Week 2024. Misty Belles, the luxury travel network’s unflappable director, revealed data on travel to the Paris Games and why vacation destinations in colder climates are the new “hot spots.”
“Heat waves in Western Europe have prompted travelers to seek out ‘cool vacations’ in milder climate destinations like Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Canada and Iceland,” said Belles, vice president of global public relations for Virtuoso Travel.
The collective “planet” descended on Travel Week, creating a village of 4,700 Virtuoso travel advisors, hoteliers, cruise directors, CEOs and executives, and tourism board officials from 97 counties, comparing notes and booking trips at the air-conditioned, interconnected Aria, Bellagio and Vdara hotels. Discerning travelers are turning to the collective negotiating power of Virtuoso’s collaborative travel network to enhance their luxury travel planning and book personalized, exclusive itineraries.
“Virtuoso is the network for you if travel is important to you and you want to personalize your trip with someone who specializes in your field. Virtuoso advisors offer advice, access, advocacy, accountability, value, time savings and trust,” Belles explained.
Belles, a regular guest on NBC's “Today Show,” noted that travelers' attitudes have evolved.
“Self-care travel has evolved into “self-preservation” travel. It’s more urgent. We have so much happening so quickly these days, so take the time to make sure you’re taking care of yourself, too. It could be a “miracle wellness” concept, like specialized sleep programs at a spa. How can I improve my rest? How can I meditate? Or change my diet?”
Belles is happy that the post-pandemic phrase “revenge trip” has evolved into a more joyful phrase, “celebration trip.”
“Fun, joy, wonder and amazement are the feelings you want to feel when you travel. And people who used to travel ‘at all costs’ are now traveling ‘at all costs.’ The ‘bucket list’ has become the ‘F-it List,’” Belles said of the deceptively rhyming phrases. “It’s the old ‘just do it’ mentality. How do you want to live and celebrate your life and feel alive? Is it bungee jumping in New Zealand? Is it going to a Formula 1 race? Is it flying to a Taylor Swift concert or the Olympics? It’s a journey driven by passion: living in the moment and celebrating your life.”
Virtuoso survey data reveals that “curiosity and exploration” are emotional drivers of how travelers want to feel and what they want to do. When a traveler shares their feelings, a Virtuoso advisor designs an experience.
According to Virtuoso data, Gen Z and millennials are outpacing the older generation and are traveling more. “They are twice as likely to seek an adrenaline rush and are favoring ultra-luxury hotels, business class seats and luxury cruises,” Belles said.
Hello… andiamo! Which regions are seeing the biggest growth in fall travel? Canada, a decidedly cooler country, is hot: +168%, followed closely by Japan. Visits to St. Barts are up 155%. Globally, the top countries for fall travel are the United States, Italy, France, Mexico and the United Kingdom—a ranking that American travelers almost exactly match. Greater China is also seeing plenty of visitors this fall.
If you’re looking for (relative) value, Virtuoso reports that prices in Toarmina, Sicily (the home of HBO’s “The Godfather” and “White Lotus”) are down 22%. Napa, California, has wine country tours for 19% less, and Amsterdam rates are down 11%. The price of a tour in the Aloha State is down 8%.
The cost of holiday travel to the Caribbean, Mexico and Morocco has increased.
Slovenia, Portugal and Croatia, Montenegro and Guatemala are alternative, less frequented destinations.
Between Virtuoso’s fiery receptions, glamorous presentations, numerous meetings and international networking, some statistics were revealed, such as the one that a US election year does not decrease travel, but reduces growth by 10%. And while a woman is running for president, many “woman wanderers” are also on the move: 71% of solo travelers are women, 47% of whom are divorced or separated. Nothing stops them, or Virtuoso travelers, from following their “Fit List!”
Contact Michael Patrick Shiels at MShiels@aol.com His new book, Travel Tattler – Not So Torrid Tales, can be purchased via Amazon.com Listen to his radio show on WJIM AM 1240 in Lansing weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon.
