14 Nov 2012
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Compass Editor
From Set-Jetting, African Beaches & Latin Glamping to Lemur Fever, World Cup Warm-Up & More...
Kensington Tours polled its team of global Destination Experts to see what trends they saw on the horizon for travel in the new year. Kensington’s team of seasoned nomads, globetrotters and adventure enthusiasts came back with this list of insightful trends for planning your vacation in 2013.
1. Asian Safaris – Dragons, Tigers, Orangutans & More
One wild trend that is on the 2013 hotlist - More families are requesting animal safaris in Southeast Asia than ever before! Borneo’s orangutans, Cambodia’s elephants, Thailand’s tigers, Laos’ gibbons and Indonesia’s komodo dragons, these animals add another dimension to the temples and treasures of these culturally rich countries.
Wildlife of Indonesia - Orangutans and Komodo Dragons
2. Glamping – The Glam In Latin American Camping
Take some of Latin America’s wildest destinations, a large dose of fresh air, mobile tents and evening campfires, add porters to carry your gear, breakfast mimosas, and a personal chef – this is what glamping is all about! Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela and Patagonia all have a growing collection of luxury mobile camps for those who love the great outdoors but don’t want to miss out on prerequisite holiday pampering.
Gran Sabana Jeep Safari and Puerto Ordaz
Patagonia Glamping Adventure
3. River Cruises - From Europe To The World
The popularity of European river cruises in past years has gone global. Quickly cruising their way on to the top of 2013’s travel hotlist are small ship adventures along the Irrawaddy in Myanmar, South East Asia’s Mekong, the Brazilian Amazon and Botswana’s Zambezi.
Road To Mandalay River Cruise and Tour
Vietnam, Cambodia and Mekong River Cruise
Amazon Cruise On The River Of Life
South Africa Southern Signature
4. Island Hopping, African Style
Mozambique’s Benguerra, Zanzibar, Seychelles and Mauritius. After a week or so of going wild on game drives, safari-goers aren’t shy to ask which way to the beach? While the white sands of these African isles aren’t near as busy as Miami, Phuket, Bondi or Rio, 2013 sees them drawing more North American sun-worshipers than ever before.
Kruger Safari and Mozambique
Zanzibar Beach Escape
Private Seychelles Island Getaway
5. Set Jetting – Lights, Camera, Travel
A blockbuster hit in this day and age can play a huge role in driving tourism. Hollywood movies inspire people to visit far off lands and can arouse a strong sense of wanderlust for the destinations showcased on film. For 2013 we anticipate fans building trips around New Zealand’s The Hobbit, India’s Life of Pi and the Wild West’s The Lone Ranger.
New Zealand North to South Island
India Tours
6. 2013 Year Of The Northern Lights
Give into the call of the north as the dancing green glow of the Aurora Borealis will be shinning brighter than ever for winter of 2012-2013. NASA has predicted a 50-year peak in the auroral cycle and there’s no finer place to see this natural phenomenon than now through to the end of March from Sweden, Norway or Iceland.
Auroa Adventure Northern Lights
7. Last Call For Untouched Sri Lanka
With publications like Lonely Planet and the NY Times putting Sri Lanka on the top of their 2013 bucket lists, the time is now to visit before busloads of travelers appear. Go at your own pace with a private guide and driver for a more personal experience and discover Sri Lanka’s sun-kissed beaches, tea plantations, elephant sanctuaries, wild jungles, divine temples, more.
Sri Lanka Tours
8. Brazil World Cup Warm Up – 2013 Confederations Cup
Held the year before World Cup, Confederation Cup is regarded by football aficionados as the dress rehearsal for the big event and will be drawing travelers in droves to stadiums across Brazil June 15th- 30th 2013. Die-hard fans who want to experience Brazil and World Cup without the high prices are making travel plans for 2013 as they know this is the perfect kick-off
Brazil World Cup
9. Lemur Fever! Madagascar
Bizarrely beautiful, this eco rich isle’s playful lemurs, phenomenal beaches, baobab trees and outlandish creatures are quietly climbing their way to the top of every globetrotter’s hit list. The country is only now beginning to embrace tourism after years of being off the map and it’s a great add-on to any African safari.
Madagascar Tours
10. Travel Smart - With A Smartphone
HD cameras and travel apps on smartphones are bringing the days of lugging around heavy gear, books and other gadgets to an end. With apps such as Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter, you can share their travel moments those at home instantly as opposed to weeks later when the postcard arrives.
https://twitter.com/KensingtonTours