Travel is Booming

Most of our clients have traveled within the United States as well as outside our borders. It might have been a relatively short trip by car to Canada, or by air to Mexico, or by ship throughout the Caribbean. Many other clients have gone across the big ponds, east to Europe and Africa or west to Asia and Australia. A few have visited every continent, including Antarctica.

            They’re getting out there, and so are a lot of other folks. Travel is booming, here in the States and worldwide. And when we travel, we spend money, which boosts the local economy. People who travel within the U.S., both American citizens and foreign visitors, spend the most. According to CNN Travel, travel and tourism added $2.36 trillion to the U.S. economy in 2023. That’s a new record, which could very well be broken this year.

            China is the number 2 market worldwide, but lags considerably behind America with “only” $1.3 trillion in travel-related spending last year. Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom round out the top five. France is in sixth place in terms of visitor spending but leads the world in the actual number of visitors.

            It shouldn’t be surprising that Paris is the top destination for tourism in France. The global research company Euromonitor International put together the Top 100 City Destinations Index for 2023, with the French capital at the top of the list. This year, with the Summer Olympics, Paris is once again expected to lead the way. Europe had 7 out of the top 10 cities on the 2023 index; the only non-European cities on the list were Dubai (2), Tokyo (4) and New York (8). Madrid was third, with Amsterdam, Berlin, Rome, Barcelona and London in the top 10.

            There were four newcomers to the Top 100: Washington DC (48), Montreal (68), Santiago (88) and Vilnius (92). Haven’t heard of that last one? Vilnius is the capital of the small Baltic state of Lithuania. The city that led the way in number of actual foreign tourists was Istanbul, followed by London and then Dubai. The cities with the biggest year-to-year growth were Hong Kong (up a whopping 2,495%) and Bangkok (142%), due to being among the last cities to reopen after the Covid-19 pandemic.

            As we’ve mentioned before, “overtourism” is becoming an issue in many cities and countries. Last week, New Zealand tripled its tourist tax. Its International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) has gone up from US$22 to US$62, effective October 1. Visitors to New Zealand spent $11 billion last year, a huge part of the island nation’s economy, and some folks down there aren’t happy with the IVL increase. A consortium of travel professionals from across New Zealand said the country is already losing tourism business to Canada and the U.K., which have smaller entry fees. Also, New Zealand tourist visas will increase from $131 to $211 at the same time the IVL bump kicks in. Citizens of 60 countries and territories, including the U.S., can get a visa waiver that will allow them to stay for up to 3 months for tourism purposes.

            Another example of “overtourism” having an impact is in Rome. City authorities are considering limiting access to the Trevi Fountain, one of Italy’s most noted landmarks. Rome has always been a very popular destination, but it’s expected to set a new record for visitors in 2025, when it will host a year-long Roman Catholic jubilee that is expected to attract 32 million tourists and pilgrims.

            The draft plan to control access to the fountain includes requiring a prior reservation, with fixed time slots and limited access to the steps. Non-residents would be asked to make a “symbolic” contribution of a euro or two (US$1.20-2.20). The Trevi Fountain has been a tourism draw since its completion in 1762. It’s also been featured in many movies, including the famous scene in Frederico Fellini’s classic La Dolce Vita, when Anita Ekberg wades into the fountain and beckons co-star Marcello Mastroianni to join her.

            If Rome is on your bucket list of destinations, give us a call. We’ll help you get there, and by the way, don’t plan on wading in the Trevi Fountain.

             

 

Scenic Railway Travel

            There was a time, not too long ago, when riding the rails in America was not only practical, but even somewhat romantic. The first transcontinental railroad was completed shortly after the Civil War, and for nearly a century the railroad dominated American domestic travel. But then came the 1950s, the decade that saw the arrival of jet-powered commercial aircraft and the interstate highway system. Almost overnight, things changed: flights were much faster and traveling long distances by road much easier. The American railroad system began to decline, in terms of ridership and quality.

            It’s certainly not that way elsewhere. European rail systems are popular and modern, as my husband and I delightedly discovered on our visit to Switzerland last spring, and high-speed rail systems in Japan have set the standard for fast, efficient domestic train travel. Given the choice, most Americans would rather fly from one place to another, rather than take the train. But rail travel is still popular for people who just want to relax and enjoy the scenery, as well as the nostalgia of the experience. We’ve ridden the Rocky Mountaineer twice, in Canada from Vancouver to Banff and in the States from Moab to Denver, and both trips were great. We’d gladly do either one again, but there are many scenic train rides to choose from, especially overseas. USA Today recently ranked the best international scenic railways and routes.

·         Glacier Express, Switzerland. Proud to call itself the world’s slowest train, offering panoramic views of the Alps from St. Moritz to Zermatt. During the 8-hour trip, you’ll go through 91 tunnels and cross 291 bridges.

·         Jungfrau Railways, Switzerland. Your ears will pop on this 45-minute ride through the Alps from Grindelwald to Jungfraujoch. It’s pricey at $127 per person, but worth every penny.

·         Santa Claus Express, Finland. The jolly old elf resides on the Arctic Circle in Lapland, and you get there with a 15-hour journey from Helsinki, with tickets starting at just $25. Sleeper cars are pricier, but riders also have WiFi, power outlets and even showers.

·         Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Europe. Travel like European millionaires of the 1920s on a luxury train that’s a time machine on rails, with routes from London to Istanbul and many places in between. Its 18 carriages are well-appointed, and the dining is world-class. You’ll pay for it, though; the Paris to Budapest trip will cost over $4,000 per passenger.

·         Rovos Rail, South Africa. This luxury hotel on tracks provides “train safaris” that take you as far away as Tanzania. Itineraries range from two nights to two weeks, but they all offer stunning vistas and off-train excursions for game drives, golf and a visit to Victoria Falls.

·         Oriental Express, Malaysia. The Eastern & Oriental Express departs from cosmopolitan Singapore and takes you to the jungles of Malaysia, with 24-hour private steward service. There’s also a Dior spa on board.

·         Great Journeys New Zealand. Offering routes that take you to both islands for their stunning scenery, from the coastline of the South Island to the volcanoes of the North.

·         The Vietage by Anantara, Vietnam. This is a short train, with only two passenger cars and only six passengers each. Quiet luxury is the unspoken theme, with your fare including afternoon tea and a 15-minute back and shoulder massage.

·         VIA Rail, Canada. The scenic ride from Winnipeg to Churchill is unforgettable, taking you all the way to Hudson Bay and the polar bear capital of the world.

·         Spirit of the Outback, Australia. This is the only way to experience Down Under’s most beguiling place without an exhausting drive. You’ll board in Brisbane and spend 26 hours traversing Queensland all the way to Longreach.

If you’re ready to ride the rails over there or want to stay over here with a wonderful Rocky Mountaineer ride, we can get you there. Give us a call, and pretty soon you’ll be hearing, “All aboard!”