Stunning views of the snow-capped Southern Alps near Cass from the TranzAlpine service by Great Journeys New Zealand
themselves into a destination ’ s culture . The top wellness break destination was the U . S ., but many Gen Z jetsetters are also looking to Norway , Turkey , Switzerland , Iceland and Sri Lanka .
4 . HIDDEN GEMS Those looking for the opposite of the urban experience are exploring small towns and rural locations where they can spend quality time with loved ones . These under-the-radar locales offer the opportunity to unplug away from the buzz of everyday life . For those clients wanting to escape the hustle and bustle , one look at the “ Off-the-Grid ” rentals from Airbnb shows rustic cottages in Twentynine Palms , California ; Williams , Arizona ; Montagu , South Africa ; and glamping tents in Kanab , Utah ; Joshua Tree , California ; and Saint-André , France . Avoiding the crowds is easy with Airbnb ’ s new “ Top of the World ” property category , which features properties located 10,000 feet above sea level , often with amazing views . And for those who want to enjoy family time , the new “ Play ” category features homes with activities and entertainment , including game rooms , water slides and basketball courts .
5 . PLANNING NOW With demand being high , it ’ s important to encourage clients to book ahead . A Virtuoso study found that those scheduling vacations are , on average , booking trips farther ahead in 2023 than they did back in 2019 . In an American Express Trendex study from fall 2022 , 50 % of respondents reported already thinking about where to go this summer . No matter the type of trip or the destination , recommend advance planning for the year ahead .
Popular Destinations
According to a VAX 2022 study , advisors reported that the top three destinations their clients were booking for 2023 include the Caribbean ( 41.5 %), Mexico ( 23 %) and Europe ( 14.5 %).
1 . CARIBBEAN Warm weather locations always seem to be a draw for families , groups and couples . “ For 2023 , I ’ m noticing that a lot of our clients are taking group trips to the Caribbean . As an all-inclusive specialist , the Caribbean will always be a hot spot year after year ,” said Marissa Waiters of Spread Your Wings Travel Agency . While the Caribbean is famously known for its beaches , the islands are also a great recommendation for those looking for a variety of cultures — languages range from Spanish and English to French and Dutch — and topographies , including mountains , waterfalls , tropical forests and desert-like vistas .
Newly anticipated resort openings throughout the Caribbean include :
• The Goldwynn Resort in Nassau , Bahamas
32 / THE COMPASS / SPRING 2023 vaxvacationaccess . com / thecompass