Virtuoso® Announces Destinations Trending For Canadian Travelers In 2014

The United States Tops the List While New Zealand Proves It's the One to Watch

TORONTO, May 29, 2014 /CNW/ - Leading luxury travel network, Virtuoso^®, has released its top destinations for Canadian travelers in 2014. Harnessing data collected from its 13 travel agency members, with 30 locations throughout the country, from April 2012 – March 2014, the network set out to answer the following questions: where do Canadians like to travel, and what is increasing in popularity – in other words, "what's hot?" The answer is clear – the United States, and specifically warm weather spots, sit at the top of Canadian traveler's lists.

For total sales, the United States (U.S.) leads the charge, accounting for 53 percent of bookings. All subsequent destinations appear in the single digits:

• Mexico (six percent)
• UK (five percent)
• Dominican Republic (three percent)
• Italy (three percent)
• Jamaica (two percent)
• France (two percent)
• Cuba (two percent)
• Israel (two percent)
• Germany (one percent)

Within the U.S., Florida is the leading destination with 29 percent of bookings. (Miami accounts for 80 percent of Florida travel. Viva South Beach!) California comes in second at 16 percent, Hawaii commands 10 percent, Nevada with nine percent and New York with six percent of bookings. By comparison, Nevada accounts for only two percent of bookings for U.S. travelers.

Destinations with the largest year-to-year increases in bookings from Canadian travelers are the English Commonwealth Countries, of which Canada is a member. New Zealand is seeing massive growth at 140 percent, followed by:

• Australia (59 percent)
• Mexico (35 percent)
• United Kingdom (30 percent)
• Turks And Caicos (23 percent)
• Jamaica (23 percent)
• Cuba (19 percent)
• Italy (18 percent)
• Dominican Republic (15 percent)
• France (11percent)

Virtuoso counts 341 agencies with more than 620 locations throughout North and South America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand amongst its membership, accounting for more than 8,900 travel advisors and upwards of $12.5 billion (U.S.) in annual sales. The network has 13 member agencies in Canada with 30 office locations, as well as 32 Canadian-based travel partners such as the Shangri-La Hotel Toronto, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts (exclusive to Virtuoso) and Butterfield & Robinson. Virtuoso is the leader in the luxury travel sector, with exacting standards for both travel agency and preferred supplier partners.

About Virtuoso:

Virtuoso^® is the leading network of luxury travel advisors and entities. This by-invitation-only organization comprises 341 agencies with more than 8,900 elite travel specialists in 20 countries in North and South America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand, as well as over 1,700 of the world's best travel providers and premier destinations. The network's member agencies generate over $12.5 billion annually in travel sales, making the group the most powerful in the luxury travel segment. Their relationships with the finest travel companies provide the network's affluent clientele with exclusive amenities, rare experiences and privileged access. For more information, visit www.Virtuoso.com/Canada. To view Virtuoso's latest videos, go to http://www.youtube.com/user/VirtuosoTraveler.

SOURCE: Virtuoso

http://www.Virtuoso.com/Canada