Hotel & Tourism
SMARTreport #29
2016 Spring Edition
9
Top Ten destinations
for January-March 2016 vacations.
1. Mexico
6. South Africa
2. Canada
7. Argentina
3. Australia
8. India
4. New Zealand
9. Chile
5. United Kingdom 10. China
The Top 10 analysis: Global travel is up overall, and travellers
are flocking to a mix of eternally fashionable places and
more unusual choices. Mexico and Canada finish first and
second, their strength i s not surprising due to their proximity
to the United States.
Southern destinations dominate the Top 10 as usual for
winter in the Northern Hemisphere, with one notable
European exception being the UK, Australia and New
Zealand are experiencing solid growth, especially for two
already popular luxury destinations. Upscale travellers,
always searching for novel destinations, are finding them in
Asia and South America. India in particular is surging, and
Argentina and Chile continue to beckon wealthy travellers
with their mix of food, wine, diverse landscapes and history.
It’s also worth noting that half these destinations are English-
speaking, making them more comfortable for US travellers.
The Virtuoso Hot 10:
These countries have seen the most significant
growth in year-on-year bookings for the first quarter.
1. Panama (+107%)
6. India (+46%)
2. Thailand (+92%)
7. Jamaica (+44%)
3. Switzerland (+56%)
8. Vietnam (+43%)
4. South Africa (+50%)
9. Colombia (+39%)
5. Kenya (+47%)
10. Spain (+34%)
TAKING EXPERIENTIAL
TRAVEL TO THE
N
TH
DEGREE
Taha’a Private Island & Spa: a truly
memorable and powerful experience
While the most prestigious
events related to luxury and ultra
luxury debate the true meaning
of luxury today, it is probably
in French Polynesia and, more
specifically, at the Taha’a Island
Resort and Spa that we have
found the answer.
Defined by the Relais &
Chateaux philosophy, and
located on the secluded Motu
Tautau islet, facing the lush
island of Taha’a on one side and
the majestic silhouette of Bora
Bora on the other, the resort,
inspired by traditional Polynesian
architecture and style, hosts 57
remarkable suites and villas.
If luxury or ultra luxury means
living an exceptional moment
in a magical place where you
feel at home, loved (the word
is not too strong), surrounded
by warm attentions to the
point of forgetting that you
are a customer but more like a
pampered member of a family
then Yes, the Taha’a is the height
of luxury.
General Manager Julien
Bressolles has managed to retain
the charm and friendliness
of his Tahitian staff without
walling them into codes or
international processes one
might find with the big names in
luxury. The result is an incredibly
communicative atmosphere of
wellbeing both between the
clients and the staff.
Add to that the magic of
the location on the Taha’a
lagoon with an incredible coral
garden, with some outstanding
gastronomy and you will look no
further…
© SaavedraVS
