Leisure Travel Outlook Looks Sunny

It may be too soon to predict a full economic recovery; however, the leisure travel industry is beginning to show signs of promise, according to leading experts. Overall bookings are starting to trend higher, optimism is definitely on the rise and a significant number of leisure travelers are taking advantage of current hotel prices and ‘trading up’ to more luxurious accommodations, according to Roger Block, president of Travel Leaders Franchise Group, with locations nationally.

Orlando now tops the list of top domestic destinations, surpassing Las Vegas, which fell to second place for the first time since 2003. Rounding out the top ten U.S. destinations, according to a survey of travel agents conducted last year, are an Alaska cruise, followed by New York City, Kahului (Maui, HI), Honolulu, Chicago, Phoenix/Scottsdale, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles.

Caribbean cruising remains the top international destination, according to the survey, followed by Cancun, Riviera Maya (Mexico), Mediterranean cruising, Rome, London, Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), Paris, Montego Bay and Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Over 40 percent of leisure travelers are “trading up” because of the increased value/lower prices available and 65 percent of luxury travelers are adding extra travel days and amenities to their vacations, according to the survey.