Indian summer
The Indian Ocean island gem of Sri Lanka has bounced back from horror to retain a place in the top five hotspots for luxury travel bookings in 2020.
It’s good news for the nation’s tourism recovery, following the terror attack of last Easter, which shattered its holiday trade.
The country is hard to beat – with a diverse mix of beaches, ancient cities, rock temples and the chance to go on safari – all easily combined in one holiday.
Although down two spots to fourth in premium brand Kuoni’s chart, 2020 bookings are strong and the firm says this is a reflection of Sri Lanka’s resilience and appeal.
The firm’s annual global report puts the sun-soaked atolls of the Maldives at the top of the charts again, for the 17th year.
This is thanks to a range of new resorts with a wider appeal for honeymooners and families on varying budgets. Ever-popular Mauritius is up two places to second, and Thailand and Bali, in third and fifth, completing the top five.
Other trends show a rise in demand for group escorted multi-centre tours in Vietnam, South Africa, Kenya, Namibia and Japan.
River cruising is also on the up, the Nile in Egypt doing best, as is family travel with grandparents.
Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Turkey are the
Fascinating Sri Lanka is back on the map
leading short-haul choices and Kuoni says Brexit is having less of a bearing on EU bookings compared to this time 12 months ago.
Boss Derek Jones said the firm has recently had one of its best sales weekends since 2010.
And is the Instagram influencer bubble bursting? Kuoni reckons 2020’s smart travellers are experiencing destinations for themselves, not just for social media likes.
Kuoni has also launched a specialist sub-brand initially focusing on Asia, named Alfred&, after company founder Alfred Kuoni.
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