What’s going to be hot in 2014? It is the question many travel experts are asking before the peak 2014 travel season hits.
A survey of 1,358 U.S.-based travel agency owners by Travel Leader Group examined the top travel destinations, as well as traveler spending habits. Their findings show a large jump in river cruising popularity, since it landed in the survey’s list of the Top Five International Destinations for the first time. River cruising ranked 21st place in that list just three years ago.
“If Europe could find a way to create additional scenic rivers, the travel industry, and in particular our agents, would be sending even more clients on European river cruises,” said Barry Liben, CEO of Travel Leaders Group. “Demand is definitely outpacing supply even as major river cruise lines build more ships.”
In order, the list of top international vacations included Caribbean cruises; Cancun, Mexico; Mediterranean cruises; Rome; and European river cruises. Top domestic destinations are Las Vegas, Orlando, Hawaii, Alaska and New York City.
Up-and-coming international destinations to keep your eye on include Croatia, Iceland, Turkey, Portugal, New Zealand, Peru, Brazil, Cuba and Myanmar.
Nearly 86 percent of respondents expected 2014 bookings to be the same or greater than 2013. Client spending was expected to be the same or higher in 2014 by 94 percent, which is up slightly from 2012 and 2013.
For more information, read the United Press International article.
