Luxury travel bookings are bucking Brexit uncertainty with ITC Travel group reporting a record week of trading.
The company saw bookings rise by more than a third (34%) in the week ending February 3 over the same peak sales period last year.
Cruise was a standout category, seeing a 53% increase in sales year-on-year.
The performance demonstrated the resilience of the luxury travel sector in the face of increased economic uncertainty surrounding Brexit, according to ITC.
Europe, the Far East and the Caribbean were the most sought after destinations, with growing interest in North America and Australia.
Greece has retained its popularity, with the Ikos Dassia beach resort in Corfu being the top pick for families. Ibiza and Tenerife were the top Spanish choices, while Sardinia was the preferred destination in Italy.
Barbados was the most popular choice for Caribbean-bound travellers, with the island accounting for 40% of ITC’s Caribbean holiday bookings in January.
Sales for the US and Canada also grew year-on-year thanks to a growing demand for luxury ranch holidays, city breaks and British Columbia rocky mountain tours.
Thailand and Malaysia were the top performers in Asia, with new hotel openings such as the Ritz-Carlton Langkawi renewing interest in the region.
Singapore and Hong Kong were top for stop-over stays, while demand for Myanmar holidays grew and Bali remained a popular destination despite the natural disasters at the end of 2018.
ITC Travel Group chief executive Mal Barritt said: “The incredible sales seen over the past week at ITC Travel Group were truly unprecedented.
“Despite the backdrop of Brexit and economic instability, consumers are now more than ever prioritising holidays over other luxuries, demonstrating the remarkable resilience of the luxury travel industry.”
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