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Italy, Costa Rica (pictured), Peru and Kenya are among 15 destinations tipped by Kuoni to attract British holidaymakers next year.
Big film launches, new direct flights from the UK, favourable exchange rates, hotel openings and world-leading attractions are cited as influencing travel habits in 2016.
The operator’s new travel forecast pinpoints 15 destinations to watch in the year ahead.
Italy will gain publicity on the back of new Ben Hur film starring Morgan Freeman, which is being shot in Rome and Matera in Basilicata in the south of the country.
The relaxation of Foreign and Commonwealth Office warnings to Kenya will see the return of the safari and beach holiday next year, Kuoni predicts, together with the 50th anniversary of the release of the Oscar-winning film Born Free.
Increased flights from London will give more opportunities for travel to Vietnam while new British Airways routes from May will make Costa Rica and Peru more accessible to British tourists.
The re-opening of Shangri-La’s Le Tousserok Resort & Spa in November 2016 after a major renovation will put Mauritius on the map.
The battle between Orlando theme parks will heat up in 2016 with Epcot and Universal Studios going head-to-head with new rides based on two of the most successful films ever.
Frozen Ever After is a dark ride based on the Disney film will open in 2016 in the Norwegian Pavilion at Epcot in Walt Disney World Resort, replacing Maelstrom.
At Universal’s Islands of Adventure the Skull Island: Reign of Kong ride will also open next summer for an experience that the company describes as ‘massive in every way’.
An exchange rate of 20 rand to the pound and the England’s cricket team’s two-month tour starting in December will boost interest in South Africa.
Antigua, which has overtaken Barbados as Kuoni’s top English-speaking Caribbean destination thanks to a strong pound against the US dollar and a greater offering of good value four-star hotels.
Kuramathi, one in the Maldives, will be more popular next year thanks to new water villas, pool and dining area making it one of the best-value islands for couples, families and small groups of friends.
New easyJet flights from Gatwick to Kalamata in Greece will ease access to the Costa Navarino resort – venue for this year’s Abta Travel convention.
Travelling to India was made easier and cheaper with the extension of the country’s e-visa system to British citizens in August and the impact is likely to be felt next year.
Burma has been opening up to visitors in recent years but standards of service and comfort have not always kept pace, according to Kuoni. Therefore, the big focus for 2016 will be on river cruises.
Japan, which hosts the 2019 Rugby World Cup, produced one of the biggest surprises in the history of sport at this year’s event by beating South Africa in a move that will heighten the profile of the country.
Meanwhile, Star Clippers plans to launch a new ship in 2016 and is starting new itineraries around Phuket, Sri Lanka and Singapore for the first time since 2010.