Naked Cruising is the latest trend, says ABTA

Naked cruising is among one of the emerging trends predicted for 2010, according to ABTA’s Travel Trends Report released today.

Targeting the naturist community will be one way of opening up the sector to new markets, said the report. “Naked cruising has been tipped to sweep the sector, as cruise companies continue in their efforts to attract new cruisers,” it said.

“Naked cruising currently exists in the US with Texas-based Bare Necessities first chartering a Costa Cruises vessel to take 2,200 naked passengers around the states in 1991.”

The report also highlights a greater demand for holidays that allow travellers to give something back to destinations, such as with ‘chadventures’ – a combination of adventure and fundraising for charity. Voluntourism has also become popular, with some tour operators partnering non-governmental organisations.

A further trend shows demand for areas emerging from troubled times, such as Sri Lanka, which looks set to increase in popularity next year. Iraq is also promoting itself as a holiday destination for 2010.

The long-haul trend may also be boosted by holidaymakers booking flights before the next round of Air Passenger Duty (APD) increases. From November 1 next year a family of four flying to America will pay out £240 in taxes.

Hot destinations for 2010 will include Dubai, as the emirate’s financial difficulties translate to good deals for holidaymakers. According to ABTA, the financial crisis has prompted a price war in hotel room rates to stimulate demand and a currency that is losing its value.

“Put the two together, and you could be well on the way to enjoying a luxury holiday at a knock-down price,” the report said.

The emirate will also benefit from the opening of the world’s tallest tower, the Burj Dubai, and England fans stopping over on the way to the World Cup in South Africa starting in June.

Other growing destinations for next year include Germany, where tax on hotel stays is due to fall in January from 19% to 7%.

Morocco and Tunisia will benefit from a quirk in the changes to APD, which means travelling there will become cheaper. Previously, Tunisia and Morocco were rated outside Europe and the tax was £40 per person. Now the two countries are in Band A and the tax is £11.

Next year will also see Brits travelling to Canada for the Vancouver Winter Olympics in February and to Poland for the 200th anniversary of the birth of Polish composer Frederic Chopin, ABTA predicted.

Egypt and Turkey will continue to attract holidaymakers, with each investing in luxury hotels and improved airports and infrastructure.

ABTA spokeswoman Frances Tuke said: “This year has been remarkably resilient for the travel industry, and prospects are looking good for 2010, with the trend to more adventurous destinations continuing.

“However, regardless of the destination, a holiday could be remembered for the wrong reasons if travellers fail to check Foreign Office advice before heading off on their adventures.”