2022 Travel Trends

By: Susan Sherren for  Couture Trips
Published: 1/4/22

Mexico:
Travelers are staying away from this country due to the recent shooting incidents related to drug cartel warfare issues. I just spoke with an American Airlines agent this week. She communicated that AA was working with travelers who were requesting a change of flight plans due to the negative headlines and are accommodating rebooking to other locations.

Vacations to Mexico will probably be booked with some trepidation and associated warnings. Currently, we are not encouraging our clients to book a trip to Mexico as a destination right now. Secondly, Mexico does not require any COVID-19 testing before arrival or upon arrival.  We encourage our clients to consider the Turks and Caicos as an alternative to Mexico in the short run. The government in the Turks and Caicos has been very diligent with pre-travel COVID-19 testing and has instituted strict policies and guidelines that keep everyone safe.

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Yacht Charters:
Due to the ongoing situation with the pandemic and the latest Omicron surge, yacht charters will remain a favorite not only for leisure travelers but for corporate entities. This type of vacation offers privacy, the ability to access remote beaches, locations and the client remains removed from crowded spaces. All clients must be vaccinated and tested before booking this type of holiday. The charter can be just a day charter or longer- we see this trend gaining more traction into the future. Business Wire reported an anticipated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4% for the yacht charter market until 2025.  I recently returned from a site visit to inspect yachts in the marina at Port Vauban- Antibes, France.  The yacht broker I collaborated with confirmed that their business was quite robust and bookings for the summer months, in particular, were moving in a positive direction. 

Paris:
Paris will always remain a requested destination. We have clients traveling there to celebrate New Years Eve, and we work with top-notch luxury suppliers who do their utmost to ensure our clients stay safe. We recommend clients stay away from group tours and large gatherings until the COVID-19 situation is in retreat. Currently, France is experiencing high numbers of positive cases from the latest Omicron variant. We have several clients who are booking a beautiful Paris experience for the spring. Paris is basically a great destination year round! We are headed to Paris in March to sample tours, evaluate hotels and scope out some great spots for our clients. If you book with us we will point you in the right direction and we even have a great perfume connection and collaboration that will make you a fan for life. ​

​Barcelona:
Our clients love Barcelona, Spain and it remains a frequent request. We often combine Barcelona with a visit to one or more of the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Ibiza, and Menorca). It is a quick flight from Barcelona to these islands, and it really adds another dimension to their holiday. Mallorca, in particular, has beautiful outdoor spaces and luxurious resorts. We see this trend continuing with more recent requests and bookings for the summer of 2022.

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​ The French and Italian Riviera:
It remains a  popular request, and we are currently working with multiple clients on itineraries for the summer to this location. The French and Italian Riviera (Liguria) offers outdoor activities and beautiful beaches to explore. While it can be crowded during the summer, it offers a client a chance to enjoy beautiful weather, great food, and outdoor adventures. You can enjoy the best of the beach and the mountains all in one holiday. Liguria, which encompasses the Cinque Terre, is a hot spot. Due to the ongoing pandemic, we encourage our clients to stay away or limit their time in these popular locations that are often overcrowded with fellow Americans. You can have a more authentic experience and engage with locals if you are open to trialing alternative spots. I just returned from Italy, where I sampled tours to these beautiful hidden gems in the Ligurian region. Genoa, Italy, is a great example of a city that has been overlooked for years by Americans. Still, after spending some time with a tour guide and local from Genoa, I realized what an amazing city this is, and my clients will benefit from a stop there.

Oman:
In the exotic department, Oman the jewel of the Arabian Peninsula offers travelers the ability to enjoy amazing food, beautiful people and outdoor wonders. While many tourists flock to Dubai a trip to Oman will definitely enhance your UAE experience.  National Online states," Oman is known for Arabian horses, dromedaries, wild asses, green turtles, the Oryx antelope (the national animal), frankincense trees, and date palms.
Oman is famous for its ancient aflaj oases irrigation system, terraced orchards (Jebel Akhdar), adobe fortresses, lots of mosques, wadis (stream valleys), dhows (traditional Arabian sailing ships), meteorites, and Al Said, the world's third-largest yacht, owned by the Sultan". What more can you ask for! Yes, we have gotten a few requests for unknown and off the beaten path destinations and Oman fits the bill. It's a perfect combo with a side trip to Dubai as well. Ask us about our 8-Night Oman Adventure Itinerary!
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Couture Trips
Visit www.couturetrips today to schedule your 2022 travel consultation. We are leaders in bespoke travel design. Let us work a little magic on your next vacation. 

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