01.05.06
Where Forbes wants you to go 2006
Forbes has released new feature showing their favorite destinations for 2006. We know higher prices won’t keep the discerning traveler away. The picture thumbnail is of the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Bad news for the consumer is good news for the hotels, however. “The travel industry will do really well this year. It’s a great time to be an operator,” says Freitag, who predicts room-rate increases of 5% in 2006–well above inflation. “What that means for the individual is: Book early, book often,” he advises.
The trends are the same overseas, and Freitag cites especially high demand in such vacation hot spots as the Caribbean and Europe. “We’ve seen anecdotally that new resorts are coming online in those locations. While we have no hard numbers, demand is certainly up there, as well.” That means you’ll be paying more for your hotel this year, whether it’s in dollars, francs or euros.
The Washington, D.C.-based Travel Industry Association of America predicts that high energy costs, which are pushing up air fares, slower growth in corporate profits and weak CEO confidence will all be factors affecting the travel industry in 2006. Increasing travel costs led TIA to forecast domestic and international travel spending in the U.S. to increase just 4.4% this year, compared with last year’s 7.8% jump.
Forbes Travel Feature: Where We Want To Go In 2006
- The Addison, Amelia Island, Fla.
- L’Albergo della Regina Isabella, Ischia, Italy
- Hotel Basico, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
- The Huntley Santa Monica Beach, Santa Monica Beach, Calif.
- Ku Anguilla, British West Indies
- Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Monart Luxury Destination Spa, Enniscorthy, Ireland
- One&Only Maldives at Reethi Rah, North Male Atoll, The Maldives
- The Palms, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
- The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, The Cayman Islands
