Resorts in far-flung places and higher spending are among trends in luxury travel for 2011, according to a survey.
“New exclusive luxury hotels in off-the-beaten-path destinations such as Hangzhou and Tibet…now allow travelers to escape the exotic while still enjoying luxurious accommodations and fine food,” said the study by Luxury Travel Magazine and New York City public relations firm, Abelow PR.
“After a couple of rough years, the Mendelsohn Affluent Study confirms that spending on travel is up again, especially in the luxury market,” the study added.
Hot destinations include Sri Lanka. T
he hottest new luxury destination in the US was Utah, in large part because of the many new luxury hotels opening there.
“Book lover trips are also all the rage,” the study found.
At the same time, Travel Ticker announced places where travelers “can take advantage of luxurious deals at affordable prices.”
“For many destinations, now is the time to get luxury for less, but you have to know where to look,” said Barbara Messing, General Manager of Travel Ticker.
Number One on their list is Las Vegas, which is “still recovering from the new hotel openings in the midst of the economic downturn, so top luxe hotels on the strip are offering amazing deals.”
Other affordable luxury destinations include Cancun and the Riviera Maya in Mexico; Hawaii (particularly for families) ; Egypt and Southern California, where warm weather destinations such as Catalina offer “great deals during the off-season.
By David Wilkening
