Orbitz hottest destinations 2013: New Orleans, New Zealand and Charleston

Thursday, 04 Jan, 2013 0

The Orbitz "Look Back, Look Ahead" Insider Index for 2012 is out.

The extensive report predicts New Orleans, New Zealand and Charleston to be the hottest destinations of 2013. It also says that mobile travel apps, including smartphones and tablets, are increasingly becoming the preferred form of booking travel.

New Orleans was chosen as one of 2013 top destinations for several reasons: it will host the 2013 Super Bowl and the NCAA Women’s Final Four, as well as "countless food music and lifestyle festivals." The report also mentioned expanded flight and hotel options and a $90 million road improvement program.

New Zealand was picked because of the multi-million public relations campaign surrounding the location filming of Peter Jackson’s "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey." There are two more films in the triology primed to pump up the hype, which will be released in 2013 and 2014. Other factors include Maori culture, adventure sports and wine tourism.

Charleston snags one of the top three spots through a rich history, well preserved architecture, Southern hospitality and the Pro Am golf tournament in March. Other reasons to travel to Charleston include the state’s first multi-port billfishing tournament in June and other outdoor events year-round.

The survey also mentioned Phoenix, Orlando, the Dominican Republic and "The Comback Kid" Atlantic City as contenders for top desired destinations in 2013. Atlantic City’s new resorts like Revel and A-list entertainment such as Beyonce and Jay-Z are mentioned as reasons to go to AC now.

The three top travel trends of 2013 according to the survey are mobile booking, especially on smartphones and tablets, an uptick in US outbound international travel and travel rewards offered through social media.

–Gretchen Kelly, TravelMole US/NorthAmerica

Gretchen Kelly

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