The runaway success of Gangnam Style (and British Airways’ new flights to Seoul) has led to some predicting that South Korea will be this year’s must-see long-haul destination.
Others predicted Rio will benefit from the Olympic handover and others see the potential in up and coming countries like Vietnam and Cambodia – but Kuoni’s Travel Trends Report reveals that it’s the tried and tested favourites that continue to pull in the punters.
Maldives is once again the best selling long-haul destination for 2013 and it continues to be number one choice for honeymoons. Perhaps slightly less predictably, the islands are also the second top choice for singles.
Overall, Kuoni’s top destinations, based on bookings up to December 2012, are the Maldives, Thailand, Sri Lanka, the USA, UAE, Mauritius, Malaysia, Barbados, Singapore and St Lucia.
There has been no change year on year at the top of the table, but Barbados – which was in seventh place last year, has slipped to eighth, Malaysia has risen from 10th place to seventh and Singapore has replaced Italy as the ninth most popular.
The report predicts that Vietnam, not currently in the top 10, will rise in popularity this year, thanks to a greater choice of flights and new beach resorts.
By Linsey McNeill
