Italy proves luxury traveller favourite

Italy is the most popular country for top end travel, research by International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) has revealed.

The European hotspot is also tipped to be the most sought after destination in the next 12-18 months, the luxury travel show survey of more than 1500 VIP international buyers reported.

"Our research reveals that luxury visitor numbers and expenditure are on the rise globally, with companies experiencing an average 17.5% increase in client numbers and a 16% increase in client expenditure," said ITLM marketing manager Brad Monaghan.

"Despite the number of emerging luxury travel destinations around the globe, it's interesting to note that Italy remains the leading choice for discerning travelers for Europeans as well as developing luxury travel markets such as China, Russia and India."

Flavia St.Clair, president of Canada-based Exclusive Travels International, which organizes luxury group travel experiences, said programmes for Italy were requested more than any other luxury destination.

"Italy offers the perfect combination for many travelers, especially those wishing to experience true luxury, which comes not from the price of the trip, but rather from the quality of travel experience," she said.

Italy is also becoming increasingly popular with Middle East travelers as both Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways continue to boost their flight frequencies to key cities across the country.

Emirates flies daily to Rome and Milan and on July 1 introduced a daily service to Venice. All three services are attracting the top end client, according to the airline.

"Our Italy routes are operating at above network-average load factors in business class and where applicable, first class," an Emirates spokesperson told LTN.

"In business class, loads are close to 80% on average across our Italian gateways."

On arrival in Venice, Emirates' first and business class passengers are catered to in style with a water limousine airport transfer service.

Riva-style boats leave from a dedicated pontoon next to Venice International Airport and transport clients directly to their accommodation in Venice, avoiding a part journey by road where congestion can be encountered. Emirates is the only airline in the world to offer such a service.

Meanwhile, Etihad introduced three flights weekly from Abu Dhabi to Italy's industrial, financial and fashion capital, Milan, on September 2, representing the carrier's ninth European destination.The airline said demand for the flight had been "considerable" due to its competitively priced introductory return fares of AED 1330 (US $354) for economy, AED 7330 ($1997) for business class and AED 9330 ($2542) for first class.

St.Clair noted that Italy boasted "the best of what life has to offer, from the exquisite fashions of designer Valentino to the heart-throbbing design of Ferrari".

"Italians know what it means to enjoy la dolce vita and are willing to share this way of life with their visitors," she added.

Despite the overwhelming popularity of Italy, ITLM's survey also revealed that the UAE, Thailand, Vietnam and China were up-and-coming luxury destinations.

In contrast, the destination experiencing the biggest decrease in requests by luxury travelers was North America, with immigration and visa difficulties the main cause for concern, according to the ILTM buyers surveyed.

The UK also fared badly as the strength of the British pound against most other currencies positioned the nation as too expensive compared to competing destinations, the buyers revealed.

ILTM will take place at Le Palais des Festivals @t des Congress in Cannes, France from December 3-6.