New luxury booking insights released this week at ILTM Cannes based on year-to-date data by Internova Travel Group reveal how high-end travellers are spending, where they’re going and what they value most as luxury travel continues to evolve. Notably, the data points to strong international demand, a growing appetite for privacy and immersive destinations, and continued investment in premium air and sea travel.
“What our data shows very clearly is a shift toward highly tailored journeys, guided by advisors who know how to design truly exceptional travel for their clients,” said J.D. O’Hara, CEO of Internova Travel Group.
Key findings from Internova include:
- Europe remains one of the strongest luxury markets globally based on year-to-date bookings
- International growth is especially strong in Japan, with demand expanding beyond Tokyo into cities such as Osaka
- The Caribbean continues to perform as one of the world’s most consistent high-end leisure regions
- Sustainable, nature-driven luxury is gaining momentum, including destinations such as Patagonia, Atacama and the Galápagos
In addition, luxury cruising continues to surge. The average luxury cruise booking now exceeds US$20,000, with bookings up 8% year over year. As well, the average yacht booking is US$38,000 and up nearly 20%, driven by demand for privacy and fully customised travel at sea. Internova data also found that expedition cruising to Antarctica remains one of the strongest growth segments.
“Privacy has become one of today’s most powerful luxury currencies,” added Albert Herrera, EVP of Partner Relations at Internova. “From private yachts and island takeovers to expedition ships at the edge of the world, travellers want deeply personal, meaningful experiences, and our advisors are the ones making them happen.”
Along those lines, premium air also dominates luxury travel spend. Across Internova’s US$4.5 billion global air program, 63% of all air dollars are spent in the front of the plane.
