American Express Travel’s 2024 trending destinations .......

Porto Cervo, Italy; San Miguel De Allende, Mexico; Udaipur, India; and Zermatt, Switzerland are among the top places to visit

American Express Travel released its annual Trending Destinations list for 2024 today, featuring the 10 must-visit vacation spots based on global American Express Card Member travel bookings and recommendations from Amex Travel’s team of 6,000 expert Travel Consultants. This year’s list – 2024 Trending Destinations: Off the Beaten Path – goes beyond the traditional, well-known vacation spots to uncover hidden gems and new experiences that travellers, particularly Millennials and Gen-Z, are looking for.

American Express reveals 2023 Top Travel Trends

American Express Travel released its 2023 Global Travel Trends Report today, highlighting four global trends inspiring people to travel this year:

The Rise of “Set-Jetting”: Popular movies, TV shows and social media are inspiring people to travel to places they see onscreen, like Italy, Paris, Yellowstone, and London

Delicious Destinations: From top restaurants to local favourites to cooking classes, people are choosing their next destination based on what they’ll eat

A Wellness Wave: Restorative vacations are on the rise as travellers prioritize self-care and mental and physical health

Travelling Off the Beaten Path: Travelers want to discover hidden gems and support the local community when they visit

The report, based on survey data from travellers from the United States, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Japan, India and the United Kingdom, found that more than half (52%) of respondents say they plan to take more trips this year than last year and 50% of respondents are planning to spend more money on travel in 2023 than 2022. 84% of Gen Z and Millennials surveyed would rather take a dream vacation than purchase a new luxury item, and 79% agree that travel is an important budget priority.

“Vacations are precious, and travellers are prioritizing personalized itineraries built around their passions, from planning an entire vacation for a single dinner reservation to getting the perfect video for TikTok,” says Audrey Hendley, President of American Express Travel. “No matter what the inspiration is, American Express Travel Consultants have the expertise to help every type of traveller plan all types of trips.”

Top insights from American Express Travel’s 2023 Global Travel Trends Report include:

American Express opens new Centurion lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

American Express has opened a new Centurion Lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). The new lounge is nearly triple the size of the original Centurion Lounge at SEA and now located in the newly created mezzanine level of the Central Terminal post-security. 

It features spectacular views of the airfield and iconic Olympic mountains, ample room for guests to relax or work before their flight, and a locally-inspired menu from Seattle-based Communion Restaurant and Bar Executive Chef Kristi Brown. Plus, the new location includes “Blue Roast by American Express,” a coffee bar serving speciality coffee, espresso drinks, and cold brew from local Seattle roaster Caffè Umbria, and a one-of-a-kind mural of the Seattle skyline made from coffee beans by celebrated artist Harold Caudio.

“The new Centurion Lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport delivers exactly what Card Members want while travelling – more space to relax and recharge and fantastic food and drink,” said Pablo Rivero, Vice President & General Manager, Global Lounge Experiences. “Inspired by the vibrant Seattle dining and coffee scene, this lounge showcases the best of what Seattle has to offer, including a custom menu from the talented Chef Kristi Brown and our first full-service coffee bar with locally-roasted beans Seattle is known for.”

A Taste of “Seattle Soul”

Chef Kristi Brown, James Beard Award semifinalist and owner and chef of Seattle-based Communion Restaurant and Bar, will bring her signature “Seattle Soul” cuisine to the lounge. Her cuisine uses fresh local ingredients honouring traditional soul food and flavours from communities represented in the Pacific Northwest, including Southeast Asia and East and West Africa. The menu at the Centurion Lounge at SEA will feature dishes like Trinidadian Spiced Pork Belly, Blackened Chicken Cobb Salad, and "Peach Cobbla” French Toast, her twist on the traditional breakfast treat.

New Centurion Lounge opens at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

American Express has opened a new Centurion Lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). The new lounge is nearly triple the size of the original Centurion Lounge at SEA and now located in the newly created mezzanine level of the Central Terminal post-security. 

It features spectacular views of the airfield and iconic Olympic mountains, ample room for guests to relax or work before their flight, and a locally-inspired menu from Seattle-based Communion Restaurant and Bar Executive Chef Kristi Brown. Plus, the new location includes “Blue Roast by American Express,” a coffee bar serving speciality coffee, espresso drinks, and cold brew from local Seattle roaster Caffè Umbria, and a one-of-a-kind mural of the Seattle skyline made from coffee beans by celebrated artist Harold Caudio.

“The new Centurion Lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport delivers exactly what Card Members want while travelling – more space to relax and recharge and fantastic food and drink,” said Pablo Rivero, Vice President & General Manager, Global Lounge Experiences. “Inspired by the vibrant Seattle dining and coffee scene, this lounge showcases the best of what Seattle has to offer, including a custom menu from the talented Chef Kristi Brown and our first full-service coffee bar with locally-roasted beans Seattle is known for.”

A Taste of “Seattle Soul”

Chef Kristi Brown, James Beard Award semifinalist and owner and chef of Seattle-based Communion Restaurant and Bar, will bring her signature “Seattle Soul” cuisine to the lounge. Her cuisine uses fresh local ingredients honouring traditional soul food and flavours from communities represented in the Pacific Northwest, including Southeast Asia and East and West Africa. The menu at the Centurion Lounge at SEA will feature dishes like Trinidadian Spiced Pork Belly, Blackened Chicken Cobb Salad, and "Peach Cobbla” French Toast, her twist on the traditional breakfast treat.

American Express Travel’s 2023 Trending Destinations unveils top trips for every type of traveller

American Express Travel, today, published the 2023 Trending Destinations list1, featuring the ten most popular destinations for travel next year, identified by global American Express Card® Member travel reservations. For each of these destinations, American Express Travel Consultants also created three-day itineraries, providing inspiration on the top places to stay, eat, shop and explore the local culture, including how Platinum Card® Members can spend the “bonus vacation day” they receive with guaranteed 4:00 p.m. check-out when they book a Fine Hotels + Resorts® property through American Express Travel.

“When Card Members book trips through American Express Travel, they’re trusting us with their most valuable resource, their time,” said Audrey Hendley, President of American Express Travel. “Our global footprint, over 100 years of travel expertise and deep understanding of our Card Members give us a unique ability to inspire travellers with this year’s list of Trending Destinations, make the planning process easy, and confidently advise them on what to do when they get there.”

The latest Amex Trendex2 survey found that 50% of adults say they spend at least five hours planning a vacation. To help travellers save time and make the most of their trips, American Express Travel Consultants crafted three-day weekend itineraries for each of the Trending Destinations to provide inspiration on the best places to stay, eat and activities to explore the local culture.

81% of Amex Trendex2 survey respondents agree they want to maximize every hour of their trips, making the expert guidance in the Trending Destinations itineraries a valuable resource. Whether venturing solo, exploring with a group of friends, or spending time with family, the itineraries include something for everyone, from finding the best churros in Mexico City and engaging with koalas in Sydney to treatments at a luxury spa in Paris and exploring a maple forest in Vermont.

Additionally, 88% of survey respondents agree they wish their trips were longer. Platinum Card Members have a guaranteed 4:00 p.m. late check-out benefit when they book a Fine Hotels + Resorts property through American Express Travel. Late check-out, one of the many premium benefits unlocked when booking with American Express Travel, gives travellers a “bonus day” to extend their vacations. The Trending Destinations itineraries highlight ways to spend that time, so Card Members get the most out of their trips, including a master cheese class in Paris, sailing to the Prince’s Islands in Istanbul, and a shopping excursion of authentic Portuguese goods in Lisbon.

In addition to top destinations, American Express Travel has identified key trends driving travel in 2023:

New adventures are in demand: 70% of respondents agree they want to travel to wish list destinations in 2023

Vacationing with holistic health in mind: 89% of respondents agree they want to go on a trip to escape routine, and 74% plan to travel more in 2023 for their wellbeing

Seeking out personalized experiences: 88% of respondents agree they like to seek out local experiences and learn about culture when they travel, and 73% are willing to spend more for the travel itinerary that they want

From New Year’s resolution to summer travel: 43% of respondents agree they want to travel more as their New Year’s resolution, and 50% of respondents have already started to think about where they want to go on their upcoming summer 2023 vacations

Spending more for the ultimate getaway: 74% of respondents agree they are more likely to spend more on travel in 2023, and 40% say they are willing to pay more for late check-out when making their travel accommodations

1    2023 TRENDING DESTINATIONS METHODOLOGY

American Express Travel’s 2023 Trending Destinations are selected based on global American Express Card Member bookings through American Express Travel, looking at year-over-year travel growth between 2019 and 2022.

2   SURVEY METHODOLOGY

This Amex Trendex online poll was conducted by Morning Consult between September 30 – October 3, 2022 among a sample of 2,000 US travelers who have a household income of at least $70K and are defined as adults who typically travel by air at least once a year. The interviews were conducted online. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.

When can a solo traveller take advantage of companion deals? Now!

Travellers embarking on solo adventures around the world can now enjoy new benefits from their Companion Voucher, British Airways and American Express have announced.

From today, Cardmembers who have earned a Companion Voucher since September 2021 on either the British Airways American Express® Credit Card or the British Airways American Express® Premium Plus Card can choose to redeem it when booking a solo trip, receiving a 50% discount on the Avios cost of the booking.

This is an additional option for travellers offering added flexibility. Cardmembers can still choose to use the Companion Voucher to travel with a friend as they would have previously - receiving a second seat for a companion travelling on the same Reward Flight booking as them for no additional Avios.

Companion Vouchers are awarded to travellers who hold either British Airways American Express Card and reach the required spend amount within their Cardmembership year. They can be redeemed on available British Airways Reward Flights, which don’t need to start in the UK, allowing Cardmembers to book either one journey for 50% of the Avios required, or take a second traveller on their journey - on the same flights and in the same cabins - for no additional Avios, plus paying taxes, fees and charges per person.

In addition to this change, from today those booking British Airways Reward Flights using a Companion Voucher (either as a solo traveller or with a companion) will now have more control over their Avios spend. They will be able to choose from a variety of options regarding how many Avios to spend versus cash on each booking. This was previously fixed to just one Avios and cash option based on the route and cabin.

American Express Global Business Travel becomes a publicly traded company

American Express Global Business Travel, one of the leading Business to business travel platforms has confirmed the long-rumoured notion that it will become a publicly listed company.  Amex has said it will begin trading as a public company on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “GBTG” on May 31, 2022.

Paul Abbott, Amex GBT’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Today marks a significant milestone in the business travel industry recovery and for Amex GBT. With strategic initiatives over the last few years, including complimentary accretive acquisitions, product and technology enhancements and lasting cost reductions, we have confidence that we are very well positioned to win a larger portion of the $1.4 trillion business travel market. As a publicly-traded company, we will have the flexibility to further accelerate our growth strategy.

“Trading as a public company follows years of work to strengthen our market leadership position. While listing our company is an achievement, it also marks the beginning of a new phase of growth paired with a focus on delivering long-term shareholder value as the world’s largest publicly traded B2B travel platform.”

Amex GBT has become a publicly-traded company following the completion of its previously announced business combination with Apollo Strategic Growth Capital, which was approved by APSG shareholders on May 25, 2022, and closed on May 27, 2022. Concurrently with the closing of the business combination, the Company received proceeds from cash in trust and PIPE investments, including sizable investments by strategic investors Zoom and Sabre, and new investors Apollo, Ares and HG Vora. These investors join American Express Company, Certares and Expedia Group, which remain invested in the Company. The Class A common stock and warrants of the newly combined company, Global Business Travel Group, Inc., will trade on the NYSE under the new ticker symbols “GBTG” and “GBTG WS”, respectively, beginning on May 31, 2022.

 

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