| FORT WORTH, Texas - March 9, 1999-- Luxury travel is booming
like never before, and the nation's top luxury travel specialists were
recently polled to identify the hottest travel trends in '98 and predict
the travel habits of America's affluent in 1999.
According to API Travel Consultants, a network of 222 independent luxury
travel agencies in North and Latin America with annual sales of more than
$2 billion, the hottest travel trends among affluent travelers include
small-ship and expedition cruises, adventure travel and traveling with
children. Trends on the decline are those that involve traveling en masse,
such as large-ship cruises, bus tours and large-group trips.
API's LuxeReport is a compilation of more than 3,500 survey responses
from travel consultants serving affluent clients at API agencies. From
the most popular destinations and activities to technology trends and shopping
habits, the LuxeReport offers insight to the lifestyles of America's wealthiest
travelers. LuxeReport questions and the top answers follow:
Affluent Traveler Profile
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Average vacation: 9 Days
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Percentage who only fly first class: 12%
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Percentage who combine work and vacation on the same trip: 17%
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Hottest travel trend among Baby Boomers (34-52): Cruises (especially top
luxury and expedition
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Travel trend on the rise: Adventure Travel
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Travel trend on the decline: Bus/Group Tours
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Percentage interested in space travel if/when it becomes available: 68%
Hot Destinations
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Most popular country visited in '98: Italy
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Will be the most popular country to visit in '99: Italy
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Most popular city visited in '98: London
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Will be the most popular city to visit in '99: Paris
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Most under-rated travel destination: South America
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Best travel option for value now: Cruises
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Best destination for ultimate seclusion: Little Palm Island, Florida Keys
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Most popular vacation destination in 1998 for families traveling
with children under 18: Orlando/Disney World
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Best view ever seen: Macchu Pichu, Peru
Adventure Travel
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Percentage now seeking active and/or adventure vacations: 24%
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Most-requested active and/or adventure vacation activity by Baby Boomers
(34-52): (Tie) Hiking/Walking, Biking, Snow Skiing, Rafting/Kayaking
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Most-requested active and/or adventure vacation activity by older affluent
travelers (53+): Hiking/Walking
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Ideal/most requested vacation that includes adventure for Baby Boomers
(34-52): (Tie) Hiking Biking Combo, Expedition Cruise
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Most popular adventure/outdoor destination for Baby Boomers (34-52) in
'98: Costa Rica
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Will be the hottest adventure destination in '99: Costa Rica
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Most popular river for rafting, kayaking or canoeing in '98: Colorado River/U.S.
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Most popular destination for hiking and biking in '98: Europe
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Most popular destination for snow skiing in '98: Colorado
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Most popular adventure trip for observing marine life in '98: Baja/Sea
of Cortez
Events Activities
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Most popular travel option for New Year's 1999: Cruise
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Hottest domestic restaurant in '98: Le Cirque 2000
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Hottest international restaurant '98: Alain Ducasse, Paris
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American event best attended by affluent travelers in '98: College Bowl
GameWill be the American event best attended by affluent travelers in '99:
New Year's Eve Celebrations
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International event best attended by affluent travelers in '98: World Cup
Soccer
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Will be the international event best attended by affluent travelers in
'99: New Year's Eve Celebrations
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National or international event in '98 that had the biggest impact on luxury
leisure travel: World Cup Soccer
Cruises
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Most anticipated cruise ship launch in '99: Radisson Seven Seas Navigator
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Most popular cruise itinerary (geographic area) in '98: Caribbean -- Will
be the most popular cruise itinerary (geographic area) in '99: Mediterranean
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Preferred length of cruise by Baby Boomers (34-52): 8 Days
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Preferred length of cruise by older affluent travelers (53+): 14 Days
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Favorite cruise ship cabin: Crystal Symphony Penthouse
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Ship size preferred by Baby Boomers: Small Ships
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Ship size preferred by older affluent travelers (53+): Small Ships
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Level of formality (i.e. black-tie dinners) preferred by Baby Boomers (34-52):
Less Formal/Increasing Trend
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Level of formality (i.e. black-tie dinners) preferred by older affluent
travelers (53+): More Formal/But Decreasing Trend
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Frequency of older travelers (53+) taking cruises with their adult children:
More Frequent
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Frequency of Baby Boomers (34-52) taking cruises with their children: More
Frequent
Hot Properties
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Most popular golf resort: St. Andrews Old Course, Scotland
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Most popular beach resort: Cap Juluca, Anguilla
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Most popular destination spa: Canyon Ranch, Tucson
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Most booked U.S. hotel in '98: St. Regis, New York
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Most booked foreign hotel in '98: (Tie) Le Bristol, Paris; The Ritz, Paris;
The Stafford, London; Villa d'Este, Italy
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Hotel with the best suite in the world: The Lanesborough, London
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Favorite hotel manager: Claudio Ceccherelli, Villa d'Este, Italy
Technology Travel
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Percentage now using the Internet to access travel information: 33%
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Best read U.S. travel publication: Conde' Nast Traveler
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Best read newspaper travel section/column: New York Times
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Most viewed travel television programming: The Travel Channel -- Percentage
who stay in touch with the office or loved ones via e-mail while traveling:
22%
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Percentage who travel with mobile phones: 38%
Take It Or Buy It There
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Hottest travel accessory: Global-Enabled/Satellite Mobile Phone
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Most popular rental vehicle: Sport Utility Vehicle/4WD
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Most popular American destination for shopping: New York
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Most popular foreign destination for shopping: Paris
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Hottest museum in the world: Louvre, Paris
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Percentage who collect when they travel: 43%
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Most popular item collected: Art
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Affluent male travelers' top interest when traveling: Sports (Golf, Tennis,
Etc.)
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Affluent female travelers' top interest when traveling: Shopping During
Trip
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