In Europe, the rising destination is Greece – a country that finished a very close sixth behind perennial favorite France. Conversely South Africa and Spain are no longer trending as top destinations compared with two years ago. In addition far fewer travelers wish to vacation within the United States next year.
NEW YORK – Move over Europe. The latest New Year Travel Resolutions Survey from Fly.com reveals Australia has trumped Italy to become North America’s most desired destination for 2015. Islands in the South Pacific dominate the list this year, as New Zealand and Fiji rank third and fourth respectively.
In Europe, the rising destination is Greece – a country that finished a very close sixth behind perennial favorite France.
Conversely South Africa and Spain are no longer trending as top destinations compared with two years ago. In addition far fewer travelers wish to vacation within the United States next year.
2015 Top 10 Most Desired Countries
- Australia
- Italy
- New Zealand
- Fiji
- France
- Greece
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- French Polynesia
- United States
Broken down regionally some trends emerge. Canadian travelers were split between European and island destinations – and were the only group that listed French Polynesia and the Maldives in the top 10. In the U.S. Midwest, residents favor warm-weather destinations closer to home like Aruba and Belize. In the South and Northeast, travelers put Japan in their top 10 list – the only regions to pick an Asian country (other than Canada and the Maldives). Italy was in the top two destinations for every region except the South, where Australia, New Zealand and Fiji took the top three spots. The western states favored European destinations, including Croatia and Norway. Lastly all regions, except for the Northeast, ranked the United Kingdom as a desirable destination – surprising given its close proximity.
|
Canada |
U.S. Midwest |
U.S. Northeast |
U.S. South |
U.S. West |
|
1. Australia |
1.Australia |
1.Italy |
1.Australia |
1.Italy |
|
2. Italy |
2. Italy |
2. Australia |
2. New Zealand |
2. France |
|
3. New Zealand |
3. New Zealand |
3. Fiji |
3. Fiji |
3. New Zealand |
|
4. Fiji |
4. U.K. |
4. New Zealand |
4. Greece |
4. Australia |
|
5. Greece |
5. Ireland |
5. France |
5. U.K. |
5. Greece |
|
6. French Polynesia |
6. France |
6. Ireland |
6.Italy |
6. U.K. |
|
7. U.K. |
7. Aruba |
7. Japan |
7. France |
7. Fiji |
|
8. France |
8. Belize |
8. USA |
8. Germany |
8. Croatia |
|
9. Ireland |
9. Spain |
9. Peru |
9. Israel |
9. Norway |
|
10. Maldives |
10. USA |
10. Iceland |
10. Japan |
10.Spain |
“North American travelers have spoken: Australia is the most desired vacation spot for 2015 when money and time are no object,” said Warren Chang, vice president and general manager, Fly.com. “But Australia doesn’t have to be a dream. Now is a great time to vacation down under; not only is it summer, but your money will go a long way once you get there because the exchange rate for the Australian dollar is at a five-year low.”
The Fly.com survey questioned 563 U.S. travelers and 441 Canadian travelers between Nov. 23 and Dec. 2, 2014. All respondents were Travelzoo.com members.
Photo caption: Great Barrier Reef, Australia.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
