For 2024, travelers are choosing destinations that virtually blanket the globe, with Europe continuing to grow in appeal, travel advisors said.
¡°In the event that the [Israeli] conflict stabilizes, the travel industry is expected to continue its overall strength,¡± said Tammy Levent, CEO of Clearwater, Fla.-based Elite Travel. ¡°We anticipate continued growth in travel to European countries, as has been the trend in recent years.¡±
Levent noted that ¡°Europe offers a diverse range of experiences, from historical sites to vibrant cities, stunning natural landscapes, and rich cultural heritage,¡± which attracts a wide range of travelers.
Furthermore, it is becoming more popular with those travelers looking to expand their scope of destinations. ¡°Many individuals from the current generation have already experienced Caribbean vacations with their families while growing up,¡± Levent said. ¡°Now, they are eager to explore other parts of the world, including Europe, making it a desirable destination.
Richard Turen, managing director of Naperville, Ill.-based Churchill & Turen, said that ¡°any accurate survey will always show Italy in the first four or five spots. Travelers just can¡¯t get enough despite the heat and the crowds.¡±
France, he said, is also proving to be a popular vacation choice, along with ?Croatia, Iceland, Japan and South Korea.¡±
For its part, the Caribbean is not faring as well with Turen¡¯s customers. ¡°Our upscale clientele can go many weeks without a single Caribbean request,¡± he said. ¡°The Caribbean is, for better or worse, being typecast.¡±
¡°So far my bookings are strong for next year,¡± said Claire Schoeder, an independent contractor with Atlanta-based Elevations Travel. ¡°Western Europe and cruises are in demand, as are safaris in Africa.¡±
For Jonathon Alder, CEO of Jonathan¡¯s Travels in Winter Park, Fla., Europe ¨Cand Paris in particular, which is set to host the 2024 Olympics ¨C is also proving popular with his clients, along with such destinations as French Polynesia, Turkey, Kenya, New Zealand, Antarctica and South Georgia Island, said Jonathon Alder, CEO of Jonathan¡¯s Travels in Winter Park, Fla.
In addition to New Zealand, Levent said hot 2024 destinations for Elite Travel include Indonesia, including places like Bali; Thailand¡¯s Bangkok and Phuket; as well as Australia and New Zealand.
Levent added a cautionary note: ¡°It¡¯s essential to remain vigilant and adaptable, as global events can impact the travel landscape.¡±
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