Travel/hospitality marketers alert: London has been identified as the top travel destination for 2015, according to customer booking data and findings from a survey of more than 200 American Express North American Travel Counselors in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. And customer experience remains important to travelers
As a destination, Paris ranks #3 in behind Santiago, Peru. And when asked what destinations are seeing increased demand, 14% of Counselors indicated Europe in general (second to Asia at 18%), and Italy specifically at 6%. Iceland was also mentioned.
A release for the survey makes this observaation, among other Counselor insights: “Customization Remains a Priority for 2015—When asked where they focus most of their time helping customers, 67% of Travel Counselors indicated it is spent crafting customized itineraries. This includes typical arrangements such as selecting the best flight and hotel accommodations, using their local destination expertise for planning on-trip activities, and scheduling free time for customers to simply relax or explore the destination on their own.” The learning: Entice travelers with benefits and attractions personalized to their interests and the special
experiences available in your region.
The top reason for leisure travel, according to the survey: 37% of Counselors indicate that their clients are “eager to take trips and spend money on memorable experiences.” Clients are also “more adventurous and want to explore new destinations,” at 21%.