Rich Americans are loving Australia

Rich Americans are loving Australia

With American high end travellers strongly contributing to the 22% growth in US visitation to Australia, international luxury travel network Virtuoso has revealed a 20% growth in bookings out of the US for the second half of 2015.

Virtuoso Asia Pacific managing director Michael Londregan said the figures prove Australia is a strong international destination in the luxury field.

“Australia is hot on the travel agenda for American and Canadian high end travellers with Virtuoso recording a significant 20% increase in bookings in the second half of 2015,” he said.

“Australia has been on a steady climb for luxury travellers over the past few years and is one of the most popular destinations for American and Canadian high end visitors,”

Londregan speicifically highlighted states such as Queensland (up 48%), Victoria (up 26%) and WA (up 11%) which were recording significantly increased bookings on 2014 with figures for the current year showing another year of growth.

Tourism Australia managing director John O’Sullivan backed up the findings, confirming that the organisation had placed increased focus on building high yield markets in recent times, with its partnership with Virtuoso among its efforts.

“The growing relationship with Virtuoso forms part of a concerted drive by Tourism Australia to increase knowledge among global sellers of travel to sell more Australian premium experiences,” O’Sullivan said.

“The partnership started in July 2015 with a joint campaign also involving Destination New South Wales, Tourism Tasmania, South Australia Tourism Commission and Tourism Northern Territory and which includes a bespoke training program for Virtuoso’s network of 8,000 luxury travel advisors in the US and Canada.

Tourism Australia has committed additional resources towards building the luxury sector in the US, recently appointing a new, dedicated premium manager within its North America’s team and its North America 2016 Australia Tourism Summit, held in Los Angeles in February 2016, included a strong focus on the premium market.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

John O' Sullivan luxury michael londregan tourism tourism australia virtuoso

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]