Where Are You Travelling To?

American Express, which operates one of the world’s largest travel networks, has revealed the top travel trends and destinations it believes travellers are planning to visit in 2015.

Insights on the top travel trends were gathered from a survey of more than 200 American Express travel counsellors throughout Canada, the United States and Mexico.

Among the experts surveyed, 86% noted customers are spending the same or more on travel as they did in 2014, and many are looking for enriched experiences – splurging on upgrades, in-trip experiences and trips with longer durations. More and more customers are also planning to vacation with their family next year, with 23% of counsellors saying that their customers plan to travel with their immediate family in 2015.

Based on where American Express travel services customers are booking travel in the New Year, it is clear travellers want to go farther in 2015. From Mexico and the Caribbean to New Zealand, the following destinations are trending: London, England; Santiago, Chile; Paris, France; Mumbai, India; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Providenciales, Turks and Caicos; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Sydney, Australia; New York, NY; San Francisco, CA.

Based on survey findings, agents are also seeing an increased demand for Australia, as well as destinations in Asia and Europe, including Vietnam, Myanmar, Croatia, Iceland and Italy.

When asked how they spend the bulk of their time helping customers, 67% of travel counsellors shared they spend most of their time helping travellers with crafting a customized itinerary. Travellers also seek help identifying the best flight and hotel options based on schedules and fares.

The following are the top trends revealed: Family vacations; Spending steady in 2015; Making memories vs. savings; Tours top activity; Hitting the high seas (more than half (51%) of the survey respondents expect to see an increase in cruise bookings).

(http://www.americanexpress.ca/travel)