The Biggest Luxury Travel Trends for 2019

Virtuoso recently released its Virtuoso Luxe Report, predicting the hottest travel trends for the upcoming year. The report was compiled based on surveys of industry-leading travel agencies and advisors in 50 countries.

According to the report, travelers in 2019 have five major things in mind when choosing their destination.

1. Social Media

More often, travelers consider social media when picking their destination. How will their travels look on Instagram? More agents and travel planners are receiving requests for activities like on-site photography sessions themed after a destination.

2. Luxury Transportation

Business- and first-class flights are in high demand, but the luxury doesn’t end once travelers hit the ground. More and more, they’re looking for VIP airport arrival services and private transfers.

3. Unconventional Accommodations

Are home rentals, once the hot topic among the trendiest travelers, no longer a big deal when choosing accommodations? The Virtuosos Luxe Report seems to find more travelers want even more unconventional accommodation offerings — from treehouses to igloos, luxury tents to translucent bubbles.

4. Bucket List Experiences

With more millennial travelers investing in experiences versus things, they’re marking more off their bucket lists, faster. Tickets to world-renowned sporting events are more popular, as are after-hours tours of spectacular spots, like the Vatican or the Louvre.

5. Conservation and Sustainability

Despite this taste for the extravagant, travelers still keep an eye on how their experiences impact the environment. Many are interested in animal protection facilities and similar activities, while still ensuring their interactions are sustainable.

As for the top emerging destinations for 2019, the report names Japan, Croatia, Iceland, Portugal and Egypt.