August 2019…// With the summer nearly behind us, UK holidaymakers' sights are set on October half term, Christmas and New Year for their next getaway and global luxury travel network Virtuoso is revealing where, how and why travellers are looking to go. Known as a leading trend forecaster in the industry, Virtuoso surveyed its UK-based affiliated travel advisors to uncover expert insights into the latest preferences of luxury travellers this autumn.

The results were unveiled at the annual Virtuoso Travel Week, revered as the “Fashion Week” of luxury travel, in Las Vegas from 10-16 August 2019. Attracting more than 6,000 of the who's who in upscale travel, Virtuoso Travel Week serves as a launch pad for trends within the industry, similar to how Fashion Week authoritatively sets style trends for the coming year.

Top Domestic Destinations

1. The Cotswolds
2. Bath
3. Hampshire
4. Edinburgh
5. Lake District

UK travellers are embracing the staycation and exploring what is on their own doorstep more than ever. Luxury travellers are looking at countryside destinations in the UK, such as the Cotswolds, Hampshire and the Lake District, as well as cities beyond the capital for weekend breaks as well as longer holidays.  

Top International Destinations

1. Italy
2. Maldives
3. France
4. Spain
5. United Arab Emirates

Italy, France and Spain remain firm favourites for UK travellers looking for an easy getaway, with cultural and gourmet experiences aplenty. The Maldives is a top choice for those chasing some much-needed sun, sea and sand as the UK's winter draws in. Equally, the United Arab Emirates offers a shorter-haul option for those looking for a quick fix of Vitamin D.

Top Unusual Destinations

1. Nova Scotia
2. Swedish Lapland
3. North Pole
4. Bhutan
5. Madagascar

 Luxury travellers are increasingly adventurous in where they choose to journey during their much-valued time off and are keen to explore new places rather than fly and flop. Traditional beach destinations are being shunned in favour of the chillier climes of Swedish Lapland and the North Pole, both offering stunning natural beauty. Wildlife is also a major draw, with UK travellers happy to go further to encounter unusual species in their natural habitats, from lemurs in Madagascar to whales and bears in Nova Scotia.

Top Travel Trends

1. Family trips
2. Beach destinations
3. Ultra-luxury travel
4. Multigenerational travel
5. Exclusive experiences

Spending precious time together as a family over Christmas is important to many luxury travellers and unsurprisingly family trips and multigenerational travel are two key trends for the forthcoming season. Also a time of generosity and indulgence, UK travellers increasingly look for ultra-luxury and exclusive experiences to enjoy at what is a special time of year for many. Meanwhile, beach holidays remain popular for those looking to escape the cold and festive frenzy.

 Top Travel Experiences

1. Exclusive access to rare experiences such as reservations to fully-booked restaurants
2. Wellness, spa & relaxation
3. Insider tours with a local and experiences with local culture
4. Ultra-luxury and exclusive use travel
5. Animal encounters

Exclusive access, behind-the-scenes tours and local insights and experiences that allow travellers to get under the skin of a destination are what UK travellers are looking for this autumn. Wellness and spa are also high on the agenda, with UK travellers looking to recharge and relax for the year ahead. Meanwhile, more of us are becoming wildlife enthusiasts, with animal encounters scoring highly for many.

ENDS

For press information, please email the Grifco PR team on virtuoso@grifcopr.com or call 0207 751 8010.

About Virtuoso:

Virtuoso is the leading international travel agency network specialising in luxury and experiential travel. This by-invitation-only organization comprises over 1,000 travel agency partners with 20,000 elite travel advisors in 50 countries throughout North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. Drawing upon its preferred relationships with over 1,800 of the world's best hotels and resorts, cruise lines, airlines, tour companies and premier destinations, the network provides its upscale clientele with exclusive amenities, rare experiences and privileged access. More than (U.S.) $26.4 billion in annual travel sales makes Virtuoso a powerhouse in the luxury travel industry. For more information, visit www.virtuoso.com.