If you’re into Wellness Travel – you’re not alone. This segment of the travel industry is hotter than ever, and that’s just one of the trends recently cited by Virtuoso.

Respected as an industry-leading trend forecaster, Virtuoso recently gathered data and insights from its network of travel advisors, preferred partners and high net worth/ultra-high net worth clientele based on its data warehouse of more than $63.6 billion in transactions and an ongoing series of surveys. The results were shared at Luxury travel’s leading event, the 35th annual Virtuoso Travel Week. The event is recognized as the Fashion Week of luxury travel for its presentation of the latest news and trends affecting the industry before thousands of industry leaders, as well as the multi-million dollars in travel sales it drives.

The lead story: Travel shows no signs of slowing down, despite inflation and global economic challenges. In the first half of 2023, Virtuoso reported a 69 percent uptick in sales versus 2019 numbers, with hotel and cruise segments leading the way, up 173 percent and 122 percent respectively.

Luxury hotels in the U.S. have seen a 57 percent increase compared to 2019, while luxury international hotels have soared to a 58 percent uptick.

Future leisure travel sales leading into 2024-2025 are equally strong. When comparing sales leading into 2020 from 2019, considered to be luxury travel’s highwater mark, 2023’s future sales are pacing 107 percent higher. Future sales for 2023 into 2024 are also pacing 44 percent higher than they were in 2022 leading into 2023.

Likewise, 2023 future cruise sales are 44 percent higher than they were in 2022 and 106 percent higher versus 2019.

Travelers are heading abroad in record numbers, with Paris, London and Florence ranking among the most-booked cities this fall. When it comes to the hottest travel trends, Virtuoso advisors have noted continued demand for exclusive-use experiences, such as private aviation and yachting along with itineraries that incorporate next-level stimulation and engagement (think scientific expeditions in Antarctica).

The wellness sector continues to thrive, with 94 percent of travelers incorporating self-care into their travels and a rising interest in programs that incorporate creative and performance art. Iceland has emerged as a wellness destination, as has Thailand, as travel to Asia returns.

As stated above, wellness travel shows no signs of slowing down: 47 percent spend between $5,000 and $10,000 per wellness trip, and another 44 percent spend $10,000-$25,000 per trip. The top destinations include Mexico, the U.S. and Europe, with 59 percent embarking on solo wellness getaways.

Emerging wellness experiences include creative and performance art (44 percent), sleep programs (34 percent) and sustainable wellness (34 percent). Thailand, Bali, Fiji and Iceland rank among the emerging wellness destinations, and there’s also an uptick in African safaris with a wellness component.

What hasn’t changed, but is even more pronounced following the pandemic, is the importance travelers place on genuine, personalized service and their willingness to invest in collaborating with a travel advisor to arrange VIP treatment and access, to have reassurance, accountability and save time, and to ultimately have the experience they want.

The United States, Italy, France, the United Kingdom and Mexico are taking the lead as the top global destinations for fall travel.

Travelers are also swooning over some of the world’s most dynamic and vibrant cities, and they’re willing to pay for it, too. This fall, Paris is seeing hotel rates 11 percent higher than 2022, while London and New York rates are up 16 percent. Rome is up 19 percent, and Florence tops them all with a 37 percent increase in rates over last year.

So pack your bags and make sure your passport is renewed!

Virtuoso is one of the world’s leading global travel agency networks, specializing in luxury and experiential travel. This by-invitation-only organization comprises over 1,200 travel agency locations with more than 21,000 travel advisors in 54 countries throughout North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East.

For more about my Wanderlust and Wellness Travels, please Follow me on Instagram at @DebbiKickham.