Canada’s Top Travel Advisors Weigh in on Upcoming Travel Trends

Virtuoso’s expert travel advisors share the top 2024 travel trends and will take care of all the details to get you there.

Since pandemic restrictions eased, Canadians have been getting back to travel in a big way. Statistics Canada reported in July 2022 that “the number of Canadian residents returning by air from abroad in July and landing at airports equipped with PIKs [primary inspection kiosks] was 1.1 million, up by more than 900,000 from July 2021 (205,700).” Even without an official statistic, if you’ve travelled through a Canadian airport recently, you know that this number is continuing to increase as Canadians are eager to take to the skies once again.

This high demand can sometimes mean, however, that prices surge, availability is limited, and inconveniences such as cancelled flights may impede that carefree getaway.

This is when experienced, trusted travel advisors, such as those at Virtuoso, can help clear the way to make the next trip the best one yet.

Only the best will do

More and more travellers are turning to travel advisors to not only help map out their trips but to also act as experts, advocates, facilitators, and, at times, soothsayers when it comes to managing the unpredictable.

Oshelia Hong is a senior travel professional at LuxeXperts. “I received a last-minute group request for an Alaska cruise but, unfortunately, I was unable to secure a group rate and space for them,” says Hong. “However, I discovered that the Virtuoso network had already secured space on the cruise with an excellent rate and perks [for my clients].”

Virtuoso is a leading global network of travel advisors and providers who offer discerning travellers extraordinary experiences and service. Its network of more than 2,300 preferred partners includes the world’s finest hotels, cruise lines, tour operators, tourism boards, airlines, on-sites, and specialty providers. In Canada alone, Virtuoso has 24 member agencies and over 1,800 advisors.

This collective expertise means that Virtuoso advisors can see what’s coming next in travel, from dazzling destinations to the new green standard.

Be in the know: 2024 top travel trends

Becoming carbon-neutral is something that those in the travel industry are moving toward full-speed ahead. Hotels, cruise lines, and tour operators in Virtuoso’s vast network are expediting their efforts to reach net-zero emissions, with some partners reducing their carbon footprint as early as 2024.

One of the major trends during the pandemic was villa rentals, which proved ideal for those wanting to stay in their “bubbles.” Travellers realized, though, that these luxe villa stays are, well, luxe. The privacy, peace, and pampering on offer appeal to mutigenerational families and honeymooners alike, and a Virtuoso advisor can find a villa that suits your needs best.

Whether you play sports or watch from the sidelines, sports-centred travel is scoring a touchdown with Virtuoso clients. From the Las Vegas Grand Prix debut in November and the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris to a chance to ski with a former Olympian, dreaming big is the only way to play.

Valerie Murphy is a Virtuoso travel advisor at Direct Travel in Waterloo, Ont. She recalls a client’s trip to Italy with their 14-year-old son, a huge F1 fan who had asked to visit the Imola Circuit to see the Ayrton Senna memorial. “The Virtuoso on-site not only took the clients there but brought them to the entrance, where the son was able to race in one of the simulators and then go into the private conference room for F1 drivers and sign his name to the Ayrton Senna memorial wall,” says Murphy.

Dream destinations

China is a choice destination for many this upcoming year. When its borders re-opened, travellers enthusiastically headed east, and now, international airlines are expanding routes to major cities throughout the country. Explore this vast region with the help of someone experienced in it.

A 200-kilometre stretch of the Red Sea — hitherto unexplored by those outside of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia — will soon be accessible to visitors looking for a sustainable travel experience combined with a luxury hotel stay. Soon-to-arrive properties include Raffles, the Ritz-Carlton, and Six Senses.

Speaking of hotels, Los Cabos is throwing open its doors to welcome a slew of new posh properties: Park Hyatt, the St. Regis, a second Four Seasons Resort, and more are on the way.

Whether you’re looking for a perfect stay, the next up-and-coming destination to visit, or an expert to take care of all the details, elevate your experience, and help if things go wrong, find a Virtuoso travel advisor at virtuoso.com.