-
Luxury travel network and trend forecaster Virtuoso analyzed more than $40.7 billion in travel transactions to identify the hottest destinations for fall and holiday travel. Several countries showed strong year-over-year booking increases among U.S. travelers, revealing where demand is rising for the season. Does your fall travel plan appear here? © Laura Facchini – Dreamstime.com -
Bookings to Israel rose 88 percent, making it one of several high-demand Middle Eastern destinations this season. Airlines including Delta and United announced additional flights starting next summer to meet growing interest. Ben Gurion International Airport recorded a historic month with 2.7 million arrivals and departures in August, a 10 percent increase year over year. © Xantana – Dreamstime.com
-
Brazil stands out as the only South American destination in the top seven, with bookings up 92 percent this fall. Travelers are drawn to Brazil’s warm weather and rich cultural experiences. The country is pursuing growth in tourism through national goals aimed at increasing arrivals and foreign exchange earnings. © Steve Allen – Dreamstime.com
-
The Cayman Islands are the only Caribbean entry on the list, showing a 124 percent jump in bookings. The destination welcomed a record 1.3 million visitors in the first half of the year and is positioned to surpass last year’s totals. The islands were notably popular with travelers from the U.S. Midwest and Southwest. © Ruth Peterkin – Dreamstime.com
-
India ranks fourth in year-over-year booking growth, with an increase of 128 percent. The United States and United Kingdom are among India’s largest tourism source markets, and the country is rapidly becoming a leading destination in South Asia. © Yurataranik – Dreamstime.com
-
Morocco ranks third among high-performing destinations. Overall arrivals increased 10 percent in the first half of 2018, with 5.1 million visitors. U.S. arrivals showed particularly strong growth in recent years, and Virtuoso reported a 144 percent increase in bookings from 2017 to 2018. © Daniel M. Cisilino – Dreamstime.com
-
Egypt posted the second-largest percentage increase in bookings, rising 264 percent. Observers attribute the surge to improving stability and enhanced security, which have encouraged travelers from both the U.S. and Europe to return. © Mikael Damkier – Dreamstime.com
-
Topping the list for year-over-year growth among U.S. travelers, Turkey saw bookings rise 310 percent. Through August, Istanbul reported 7.5 million foreign arrivals while Antalya welcomed 6.7 million. Favorable exchange rates and the country’s blend of cultural heritage, archaeology, vibrant cities and sunny beaches make it an attractive value for travelers. © Seqoya – Dreamstime.com
