Virtuoso is a network of more than 250 independent travel agencies that specialize in arranging luxury travel getaways. The company holds exclusive agreements with many of the world's leading hotels, resorts, spas, cruise lines, tour companies, rail lines, airlines, and ground operators, enabling it to plan out-of-the-ordinary vacations for those with means.
It also conducts the "Virtuoso LuxReport," an annual poll of trends in this travel-industry category. What follows are selected findings from the Lux Report, the results of surveying top travel agents. Percentages reflect the relative number of agents who voted for each answer.
What is the most unusual booking request your clients made last year?
- Trek in Outer Mongolia
- Bear-watching in the Arctic Circle
- Two side-by-side suites (he snores)
- Minimum thread count requirement for hotel bed linens
- Fly upside down in an RAF fighter jet
- Three days snow skiing, followed by three days private yacht charter
- Submarine expedition under the Polar Ice Pack
What is the hottest travel trend among younger affluent travelers?
1. Active/Adventure - 26%
2. Cruises - 10%
3. Family Travel - 7%
4. Spas - 5%
5. All-Inclusive Resorts - 4%
What travel practice is declining most in popularity among younger affluent travelers?
1. Escorted Group Travel - 22%
2. Europe - 7%
3. Leaving Kids at Home - 4%
4. Packaged Trips - 4%
5. Beach Vacations - 3%
What percentage of your clients now purchase trip insurance? 68%
What are the top five activities/interests among male clients while traveling?
1. Five-star dining - 14%
2. Adventure/nature activity - 12%
3. Visiting cultural sites/museums - 10%
4. Fitness/working out - 10%
5. Participate in sporting activity - 9%
What are the top five activities/interests among femaleclients while traveling?
1. Shopping during trip - 13%
2. Five-star dining - 12%
3. Visiting cultural sites/museums - 11%
4. Fitness/working out - 8%
5. Live performances/music - 7%
What was the most-requested active/adventure vacation activity by younger affluent travelers?
1. Hiking/walking - 25%
2. Biking - 15%
3. Snow Skiing - 12%
4. Scuba/Snorkel/Diving - 11%
5. Rafting/Kayaking - 7%
What was the most unusual active/adventure trip you scheduled last year?
- Masters swimming championship in New Zealand
- Ballooning in the Australian outback
- Cave tubing in Belize
- Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
- Alaskan dog sledding
- African elephant safari
- Hiking in Uzbekistan
- Rafting the Ayung River in Bali
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