DESTINATIONS WHERE TO GO IN 2020 | TRENDS BEST OF THE REST
E Barbados: Following the shock of Virgin Atlantic pulling its Saint Lucia flight, the airline’s increase in capacity for its Manchester- Barbados route from two to three times a week next summer was a welcome vote of confidence in the region, alongside new investment in upgrading tourist attractions such as Harrison’s Cave.
ABOVE: Petra, Jordan PICTURE: Shutterstock
Titan has seen a huge spike in interest and, combined with it being one of our highest customer-rated tours, it’s set to be one of our hottest tours for 2020.”
SOUTH AFRICA Some might say it’s the favourable exchange rate with the rand, others increasing air capacity since BA added direct flights to Durban in October 2018, but the real reason South Africa continues to outperform the market is its popularity with all types of travellers. It’s in the top-five best-sellers for Emirates Holidays’ tailor-made programme, likewise for On the Beach’s long-haul winter-sun escapes; it’s rising in popularity with Topdeck’s millennial customers, yet G Adventures has just introduced a new family tour here. Look out for product in lesser-known provinces such as Limpopo and Mpumalanga, including Noka Camp from Lepogo Lodges, a not-for-profit luxury property that opened in October in Lapalala Wilderness Reserve.
MALDIVES Another year, another host of resorts opening their doors in the Maldives, and 2020 is no exception, hence Kuoni tipping it – and the Indian Ocean as a whole – for further growth. Hot on the heels of 2019 openings including the Hard Rock Hotel Maldives, Varu by Atmosphere, JW Marriott Maldives and Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa, there are further properties – including a new Ozo Maldives private-island resort – on the horizon.
ALBANIA The holy grail of adventure is uncovering a little-known gem that is practically on your doorstep and Albania is one of those, hiding in plain sight between Greece and the Adriatic Sea. Explore’s sales of the Balkan state have grown by an average of 20% per annum over the past four years, with the operator dubbing it ‘the new
travelweekly.co.uk The holy grail of adventure
travel is discovering a little-known gem practically on your doorstep, and Albania is one of those
Croatia’. Ellie Marr, Albania travel specialist for Regent Holidays, says: “Popular among seasoned travellers looking for an alternative Mediterranean holiday, the former communist state offers abundant cultural heritage sites, rugged coastline and wild landscapes, as well as unique cuisine blending Turkish and Mediterranean influences.”
JORDAN A 76% spike in sales is as sure a sign as any of a destination on the rise, so the fact that Explore posted such a year-on-year increase in bookings for its Treasures of Jordan tour in 2019 – with every indication the trend will continue – is telling. Exodus Travels’ bookings are also “bouncing back” and the operator has introduced a tour pairing Petra and the Dead Sea with neighbouring Israel, while Hayes & Jarvis has added week-long tour A Biblical Journey through Jordan for 2020.
THE US It’s time to brush up on your US history as next year marks the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s sailing from Plymouth to its namesake Plymouth Bay in Massachusetts, an occasion marked each year at Thanksgiving. The Plymouth 400 celebrations kick off on April 24 and continue across New England, until the anniversary of the ship’s arrival in November.
E Austria: Capital Vienna – another highlight of Abta’s Travel Trends Report 2020 – is still basking in the glory of Beethoven’s genius 250 years since the composer was born. Music lovers can combine Beethoven with the birthplace of the waltz on a new Shearings Holidays tour offering the chance to see André Rieu and explore the city’s musical heritage.
E Ireland: Worried about your carbon footprint? Swap the flight for a ferry to Ireland, where harbour city Galway will be European Capital of Culture 2020. It’s worth noting that Ireland is part of the Common Travel Area, so passengers need not worry about any disruption post-Brexit.
E Bhutan: Few places are as shrouded in mystery as Bhutan. But with operators dipping their toes here – Experience Travel Group has seen “incredible demand” from agents since introducing the Asian country this summer – and the opening of five Six Senses boutique lodges, Bhutan topped Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2020 list.
TW
E Australia: Austravel is predicting Queensland will come to the fore next year as the country marks 250 years since Captain James Cook landed on its shores. The anniversary will be celebrated with events including a festival in Cooktown in July, and a circumnavigation of Australia on a replica of Cook’s Endeavour.
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