High-End Travel Agents Find a Sweet Spot in Luxury Cruise Ships
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Travel agencies that book luxury travel report such bookings are up or have remained steady so far this year, a Travel Leaders Group survey found.
Based on responses from 770 U.S.-based travel agents who book luxury travel, luxury cruise ship accommodations slightly edged out five-star hotels as the most frequently booked luxury accommodations, followed by boutique hotels [see chart below].
About 90% of survey participants said bookings “increased or remained steady” this year for luxury hotels, luxury cruise sailings, suites on cruise ships, luxury tour bookings, and first/business class airline tickets.
More participants said luxury hotel bookings increased year-over-year for 2014 compared with those who said the amount of bookings remained the same, with a combined 92% saying bookings are at or above what they were last year.
For all accommodations, a higher percentage of participants said bookings remained the same year-over-year for 2014 than year-over-year for 2013.
Luxury Accommodations Travel Agents Book Most Often
| Rank | Accommodation | % Booked |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cruise ship (luxury) | 43.50% |
| 2 | 5-star hotels/resorts | 43.10% |
| 3 | Boutique hotels | 40.50% |
| 4 | 4-star hotels/resorts | 23.70% |
| 5 | 5-star hotels/resorts – suites | 21.50% |
| 6 | 5-star + (plus) hotels/resorts | 19.10% |
| 7 | 4-star hotels/resorts – suites | 19.00% |
| 8 | Cruise ship (not luxury) in a suite | 18.40% |
| 9 | 5-star + (plus) hotels/resorts – suites | 16.00% |
| 10 | Villa | 10.20% |
Source: Travel Leaders Group
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