Here’s a round-up of luxury travel stories that have caught the eye this week. To make sure you receive these new weekly alerts in your web browser, please click on the red bell icon in the bottom right hand corner of the page and click ‘subscribe’ (works on desktop only – for other ways to subscribe, please click here). This will also alert you to any other posts on the blog. Should you wish, you can unsubscribe at any time, by clicking on the icon again and selecting ‘unsubscribe’.
Best-selling luxury destinations for 2020 revealed
Tourism operator Kuoni has released its top 10 best-selling luxury destinations for 2020, and there are a few surprises on the list. There are no real shocks at the top of the countdown, with the paradise island nation of the Maldives retaining the top spot (which it has done for past 17 years) and Mauritius, Thailand and Sri Lanka following in positions two, three and four respectively. But in at number five is Bali… [read more]
Report: $23bn worth of hotels to be built in MENA by 2023
More than US$23 billion worth of hotel construction contracts are to be awarded throughout MENA by 2023. In a hotel investment forum from the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) 2020, it revealed the majority of hotel development will take place in Oman, Egypt, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Leading in the region is Saudi Arabia, with projects planned close to a value of $9 billion. Currently the Kingdom has at least 21,500 rooms, 36 hotels, resorts and gigaprojects in the pipeline… [read more]
Video: ‘I live in a Gaudi building visited by a million tourists each year’
Tourists pay 22 euros ($24) to visit La Pedrera, Barcelona. But not Ana Viladomiu, who has lived in the building for more than 30 years. The writer used to live in the apartment with her husband and daughters but now lives alone. Antoni Gaudi’s La Pedrera opened in 1912 and took six years to complete… [read more]
First responders? Private jet charters are helping with coronavirus evacuations and supplies
Private jets may seem like unlikely first responders, but amid the deadly coronavirus outbreak, jet charters are playing a much-needed humanitarian role in the crisis. With America’s Big Three airlines––American, Delta and United––canceling all flights to China through April due to the virus, private jet companies have stepped up to offer alternatives for those seeking evacuation and to supply critical provisions for those staying in the region… [read more]
Now luxury boats can be environmentally friendly, too
From helidecks and jacuzzis to marble kitchen countertops, yachts at the Progressive Miami International Boat Show have turned up a notch in their luxury offerings for the more than 100,000 expected to attend. Serenity Yachts, which has pushed the green initiative with solar-panel roofs, is upping the game this year with style… [read more]
We really enjoy hearing from our readers and would love to hear your views on any of these stories! Please click on the comments below and share your thoughts. Thank you.
Have a story you’d like to share? Please contact us for details.
Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Daily Telegraph.
Did you enjoy this article?
Receive similar content direct to your inbox.
6 Comments
Very interesting that the Maldives are the number 1 destination. Never been there, we’ve always been a bit put off by having to fly and then change to a boat or a sea plane but I suppose you can’t expect paradise to be easily on your doorstep. Friends who have been tell me that the flight in to your island provided amazing views. Maybe for once I should listen to the majority.
It’s no surprise that luxury boats can be environmentally friendly. It’s always the big budget luxury projects, which get wrongly ridiculed for being extravagant, that lead the way. Their developments trickle down into the mass market so that everyone can benefit from the R and D. Just think of how much innovation the Space Race prompted, velcro for instance, which has now become part of everyday life. I can remember the days when Turbo-Chargers were for race tracks and now it happens on my humble SUV producing more power from less input.
The Maldives have been number 1 for 17 years? Wow, that’s impressive. Makes me think I’m missing out! I would like to go, it’s always seemed pretty idyllic from any photo I’ve ever seen.
It’s good to hear the private jets are being put to such good use. Oddly enough I’ve not read about that anywhere else.
I’ve long since thought more boats should have solar panels, it seems such a logical thing to do. It’s interesting to see the other ways in which environmental concerns are pushing forward changes to the travel and tourism industries though.
There have been a lot of noises coming out of Saudi Arabia for sometime about developing their tourist trade. Interesting that they are backing themselves so heavily with such investment.
Surely that $7.6 billion of investment in the UAE will not be exclusively focused on Dubai and Abu Dhabi? I’ve always felt that Fujairah has lots of potential for development and Ras al Kaimah has expanded massively in recent years.
Good to see that Oman is expecting a peaceful transition after the death of the Sultan. Really encouraging that they are investing $2 billion.
Am I the only one who doesn’t know what the MENA acronym stands for? Sounds like plenty of places are investing in tourism with hotels and resorts on the way. The gigaprojects sound interesting, I wouldn’t mind learning a bit more about those.
I’ve been past Casa Milà but sadly only during the bus trip into Barcelona but it’s absolutely stunning, so unique and distinctive. I didn’t pay to go inside but I’m curious now as to what the interior is like. The outside is certainly something I’ll never forget.
Some great stories here this week. I don’t normally care for the top ten lists about which places to visit. But the Daily Mail did a decent job with their list. I actually felt inspired to check out some of those places for myself. And I’d never heard of that Spanish writer. I’d love to visit Barcelona one day. I’m sure it’s a great place for a writer or an artist. Also, it’s nice to know so many countries are coming together to help with the Coronavirus.
Best-selling luxury destinations for 2020 revealed
Tourism operator Kuoni has released its top 10 best-selling luxury destinations for 2020, and there are a few surprises on the list. There are no real shocks at the top of the countdown, with the paradise island nation of the Maldives retaining the top spot (which it has done for past 17 years) and Mauritius, Thailand and Sri Lanka following in positions two, three and four respectively. But in at number five is Bali… [read more]
Best-selling luxury destinations for 2020 revealed
Tourism operator Kuoni has released its top 10 best-selling luxury destinations for 2020, and there are a few surprises on the list. There are no real shocks at the top of the countdown, with the paradise island nation of the Maldives retaining the top spot (which it has done for past 17 years) and Mauritius, Thailand and Sri Lanka following in positions two, three and four respectively. But in at number five is Bali… [read more]
Report: $23bn worth of hotels to be built in MENA by 2023
More than US$23 billion worth of hotel construction contracts are to be awarded throughout MENA by 2023. In a hotel investment forum from the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) 2020, it revealed the majority of hotel development will take place in Oman, Egypt, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Leading in the region is Saudi Arabia, with projects planned close to a value of $9 billion. Currently the Kingdom has at least 21,500 rooms, 36 hotels, resorts and gigaprojects in the pipeline… [read more]
Video: ‘I live in a Gaudi building visited by a million tourists each year’
Tourists pay 22 euros ($24) to visit La Pedrera, Barcelona. But not Ana Viladomiu, who has lived in the building for more than 30 years. The writer used to live in the apartment with her husband and daughters but now lives alone. Antoni Gaudi’s La Pedrera opened in 1912 and took six years to complete… [read more]
First responders? Private jet charters are helping with coronavirus evacuations and supplies
Private jets may seem like unlikely first responders, but amid the deadly coronavirus outbreak, jet charters are playing a much-needed humanitarian role in the crisis. With America’s Big Three airlines––American, Delta and United––canceling all flights to China through April due to the virus, private jet companies have stepped up to offer alternatives for those seeking evacuation and to supply critical provisions for those staying in the region… [read more]
Now luxury boats can be environmentally friendly, too
From helidecks and jacuzzis to marble kitchen countertops, yachts at the Progressive Miami International Boat Show have turned up a notch in their luxury offerings for the more than 100,000 expected to attend. Serenity Yachts, which has pushed the green initiative with solar-panel roofs, is upping the game this year with style… [read more]
We really enjoy hearing from our readers and would love to hear your views on any of these stories! Please click on the comments below and share your thoughts. Thank you.
Have a story you’d like to share? Please contact us for details.
Very interesting that the Maldives are the number 1 destination. Never been there, we’ve always been a bit put off by having to fly and then change to a boat or a sea plane but I suppose you can’t expect paradise to be easily on your doorstep. Friends who have been tell me that the flight in to your island provided amazing views. Maybe for once I should listen to the majority.
It’s no surprise that luxury boats can be environmentally friendly. It’s always the big budget luxury projects, which get wrongly ridiculed for being extravagant, that lead the way. Their developments trickle down into the mass market so that everyone can benefit from the R and D. Just think of how much innovation the Space Race prompted, velcro for instance, which has now become part of everyday life. I can remember the days when Turbo-Chargers were for race tracks and now it happens on my humble SUV producing more power from less input.
The Maldives have been number 1 for 17 years? Wow, that’s impressive. Makes me think I’m missing out! I would like to go, it’s always seemed pretty idyllic from any photo I’ve ever seen.
It’s good to hear the private jets are being put to such good use. Oddly enough I’ve not read about that anywhere else.
I’ve long since thought more boats should have solar panels, it seems such a logical thing to do. It’s interesting to see the other ways in which environmental concerns are pushing forward changes to the travel and tourism industries though.
There have been a lot of noises coming out of Saudi Arabia for sometime about developing their tourist trade. Interesting that they are backing themselves so heavily with such investment.
Surely that $7.6 billion of investment in the UAE will not be exclusively focused on Dubai and Abu Dhabi? I’ve always felt that Fujairah has lots of potential for development and Ras al Kaimah has expanded massively in recent years.
Good to see that Oman is expecting a peaceful transition after the death of the Sultan. Really encouraging that they are investing $2 billion.
Am I the only one who doesn’t know what the MENA acronym stands for? Sounds like plenty of places are investing in tourism with hotels and resorts on the way. The gigaprojects sound interesting, I wouldn’t mind learning a bit more about those.
I’ve been past Casa Milà but sadly only during the bus trip into Barcelona but it’s absolutely stunning, so unique and distinctive. I didn’t pay to go inside but I’m curious now as to what the interior is like. The outside is certainly something I’ll never forget.
Some great stories here this week. I don’t normally care for the top ten lists about which places to visit. But the Daily Mail did a decent job with their list. I actually felt inspired to check out some of those places for myself. And I’d never heard of that Spanish writer. I’d love to visit Barcelona one day. I’m sure it’s a great place for a writer or an artist. Also, it’s nice to know so many countries are coming together to help with the Coronavirus.