To help you plan your next vacation, Arabian Business Traveller consulted with travel experts and industry insiders to bring you a guide of the travel trends and destinations set to dominate the industry this year.
The rise of under-the-radar holiday destinations
Affluent travellers are always on the lookout for new and exclusive destinations that cater to their discerning tastes. According to travel expert Richard Stolz, Principal at Roland Berger Middle East, Southeast Asia is one of the most sought–after destinations this year.
“Many are looking for something that is unique. However, there should be some sort of tourist infrastructure in place to make the stay enjoyable,” explains Stolz.
As a result, more unknown places in South and Southeast Asia are investing in luxury hotels, making it easier for travellers to get to and explore.
“One of the hotspot countries to explore is the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan — it’s an ideal holiday for travellers seeking something exotic and distinct,” Stolz reveals.
For many years Bhutan’s approach to tourism has been one of quality over quantity. Its focus lies in providing visitors with an immersive, culturally rich experience. While the country has remained relatively exclusive, it has recently changed its approach.
“It’s slowly opening up for more tourism, and I think going forward, travel might be much easier. Recent discussions indicate a strong possibility of a direct flight link between Dubai and Bhutan, which will enable more travellers to visit the country,” Stolz explains.
Previously, Bhutan imposed a mandatory minimum daily expenditure of $250 during the high season and $200 in the low season per person. The fee included a packaged tour, covering accommodation, meals, transport, site entry fees, and taxes. However, as of last year, the rule has been scrapped, and travellers are now only required to purchase a license before arriving in the country.
As a result, Stolz believes that Bhutan will become a great destination for high–end travel, with many luxury and experiential hotels to choose from.
Short-haul travel
According to Stolz, we can expect last year’s trend of nearby travel to continue well into 2023. Elaborating on the trend, Stolz explains that this will be due to the many key sporting and entertainment events taking place in the region.
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom is developing a vast portfolio of leisure and entertainment offering, which includes hosting some of the world’s key sporting events, ranging from likes of the Formula 1 GP in Jeddah, key golf tournaments, and hosting prominent football games — Real Madrid and FC Barcelona being just two teams that have played in the Kingdom’s capital of Riyadh of late. Additionally, luxury cultural destination, Al Ula is set to welcome five festivals and seven marquee events in the upcoming year alone.
Qatar
Having just hosted the FIFA World Cup, Qatar is set to welcome a string of equally unique sporting and recreational events in the following months. These include the 2023 Qatar Formula 1 Grand Prix and the International Horticultural Expo 2023 Doha Qatar.
Sports tourism aside, Qatar is also home to many luxury hotels (we highly recommend Raffles — it’s got six stars) and unique shopping destinations, such as Place Vendôme Qatar (a replica of the original in Paris). Spanning across 1,150,000 sqm, Place Vendôme Qatar features two five–star luxury hotels (Le Royal Méridien and Palais Vendôme), a luxury mall equipped with over 500 retail outlets, a dedicated luxury wing, and a canal running through it directly from the sea — making it the perfect stop for retail and nature– loving tourists alike.
Set-jetting
Set–jetting refers to travellers who journey to film locations depicted on their favourite TV shows and or movies. While the concept of travelling to set locations isn’t new, the trend has seen a rise in recent months. According to a travel trend report by Expedia, two–thirds of the travellers surveyed have reportedly considered the idea. At the same time, 39 percent admitted to booking their holiday destination based on locations shown in films and TV shows that they had watched.
As for this year’s set–jet location — it’s all about Italy, which is due in large part to HBO’s hit series, White Lotus. According to Ranit Biton, the luxury concierge and director for sales and marketing at Ztoa Travel, Sicily’s tourism sector is witnessing an impressive surge.
“Demand for accommodations in Taormina will be exceptionally high, and securing a reservation at the luxury hotel, Four Seasons Taormina San Domenico Palace, where the show was shot, may prove nearly impossible,” Biton explains.
For those unaware of Taormina — here’s what you need to know. Taormina is a small town located on the east coast of the island of Sicily in Italy. The town has a rich history and has been inhabited by various cultures, including the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, and the Spanish. The most famous landmark in Taormina is the ancient Greek theatre, which was built in the 3rd century BC and is still used today. Taormina is also known for its picturesque streets lined with shops, restaurants, and cafes. Additionally, it is a popular beach destination, with several beaches located nearby — the most famous of these being
Isola Bella.
Follow www.abtraveller.com and @abtravellerme to stay updated on the latest travel news
