Chase cardholders can book Southwest Airlines flights through the Chase Travel portal, and that’s a rarity for leisure travelers.
01.05.2024 - 13:49 / travelweekly.com / Conde Nast
Europe is a cornucopia of travel wonders. But as trends change and consumer demand ebbs and flows, what's the current hot destination on the Continent?
For some time, the tourism numbers have been pointing to Portugal. And the growing number of suppliers recognizing that country is creating a host of opportunities – new travel products and new routes – for advisors and their clients. These suppliers are recognizing Portugal as an excellent option for increased business. In addition, the country makes itself easy to sell, and it's well-known, but not well-worn. Portugal is an excellent example of the travel advisors’ never-ending quest for the trendy European vacation spot.
According to Eurostat, the official website of the European Union, compared with 2022, nearly all EU members recorded an increase in travelers in 2023. And in fact, eight EU members exceeded 10% increase, including Portugal.
Clearly post-pandemic travel continues to come back with a vengeance. Air lift has increased from 50% to 75%. In Portugal, overnight stays in 2023 grew by 37% and revenue increased by 18.5% compared to 2022. There has been substantial growth in tourism across the country over the past two years, and it represents a new wave of success for the country’s tourism industry. And it will only get better, as experts predict further expansion based on input from tourism companies and related entities.
According to Condé Nast Traveler, Portugal was the fourth most Googled travel destination globally in 2023. Factors attracting that organic search interest included Porto’s rising food scene, the Azores’ natural appeal, and the increasing popularity of Lisbon and Porto.
Proving that good things come in small packages, Portugal is roughly the size of the state of Indiana. In terms of climate and topography, it will make you think of California. It’s one of the oldest countries in Europe and it led the Age of Discovery in the 15th and 16th centuries. It was as one of the world’s economic and maritime powers, reflecting its rich history. Today, Portugal is consistently one of the top value destinations in Europe. Advisors can stretch their clients’ budget dollars and then reallocate that savings to enrich other areas of their trip.
Portugal offers a rich history and culture. Here’s just a brief look at what the country offers:
• UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• Lively entertainment and nightlife
• Unique gastronomy & wines
• Fado music
• Colorful shopping
• 23 golf courses
• World surfing reserve
• Natural attractions, including rivers, ocean, mountains and beaches
Portugal’s principal cities, Lisbon and Porto, have much to offer travelers. Lisbon, the capital
Chase cardholders can book Southwest Airlines flights through the Chase Travel portal, and that’s a rarity for leisure travelers.
Family vacations are the perfect opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones and strengthen family bonds. One study found 40 percent of parents planned to spend more on international travel with their families this year. There is also a growing trend of multiple generations traveling together.
Carbon neutrality, zero waste and serving seafood solely from responsible suppliers: Many boutique eco-tourism destinations — particularly those catering to small numbers of luxury travelers — can reach or come close to sustainability goals such as these, but what about a decades-old resort company operating 97 properties across 14 countries?
Etihad Airways is making it easier to visit Abu Dhabi with a new stopover program that offers a free hotel stay for travelers.
Automatic refunds for significant flight disruptions, fee-free family seating and accessibility improvements.
Destinations across Europe are battling overtourism - visit Venice and you’ll have to pay an entry fee, book for Amsterdam and you’ll be asked to take a quiz about your holiday activities, head to the Canary Islands and you might see graffiti telling tourists to go home.
Strip off your sweaters; the official start of summer is coming in hot. Gear up for a long weekend where the smell of bonfires, the taste of freshly grilled hamburgers and the feel of the ocean wash all the winter blues away. Memorial Day Weekend — when millions of Americans take off for vitamin D-drenched destinations from sea to shining sea — is just around the corner.
Cala Galdana beach – and its neighbours – are spectacular. Turn off at Ferreries and take the attractive Me-22 road that brings you to a breathtaking horseshoe bay shrouded by pine trees. The golden sandy beach is peaceful, even on a busy day. There are beach toilets and a cafe. There are also water sports facilities if you want a bit more activity. Neighbouring Cala Mitjana, a beautiful beach a short walk to the east, is wilder, as is Cala Macarella, two miles by footpath to the west. If I could be teleported to any beach on my day off here’s where I’d go to.Bethan Patfield
The Toy Story Hotel at Tokyo Disney Resort allows guests to feel like they are stepping into a larger-than-life land of toys, without the larger-than-life prices that can come with staying on Disney property.This spring, my family of three checked in to the 595-room hotel, which is located near Bay Station on the Tokyo Disney Resort Line, the resort's dedicated monorail line.
Are you planning some European travel this summer? Me too. Getting from A to B by train has never felt so exciting, with a thrilling mix of new routes, classic journeys, and under-the-radar options to choose from.
April might only have 30 days, but this year, those days were filled with some pretty exciting hotel news — especially for Hilton and Hyatt loyalists.
Over the last few years, the mass-market cruise industry's larger-than-life mega-ships — outfitted with loud waterparks and more dining options than you could eat in a week — have dominated the spotlight.