Exclusive Travel Experiences Drive Record Growth in Thanksgiving Luxury Tourism

Published on November 25, 2025

Recent figures from one of the most prominent luxury travel networks, Virtuoso, indicate that Thanksgiving 2025 luxury travel bookings are beginning to increase and the 2025 holiday season will see the most considerable increase in travel to the United States this Thanksgiving, despite the U.S. economy being in relative disarray. Virtuoso’s data shows that this Thanksgiving, travel in the U.S. will increase relative to last year by 20% and overall luxury sales will increase by 36% quarter over quarter, the affluent will spend their wealth and take vacations. With the unprecedented demand and growth in the luxury U.S. travel market, the market shows no sign of slowing.

In Virtuooso’s travel report, the 2026 Luxe Report, Virtuoso presents optimistic forecasts for the luxury travel market, affording even greater potential growth for luxury travel in 2026. Nearly 50% of luxury travel advisors anticipate growth in the luxury travel sector over the coming year. Though the demand for luxury travel and the unique, exclusive experiences that come with them is rapidly increasing, advisors are predicting an even greater supply of luxury travel services. During holiday seasons, affluent travelers and consumers prioritize unique, tailored vacations over other forms of travel with little to no disruptions.

Traveller Trends in Luxury Bookings: Thanksgiving 2025

As Thanksgiving 2025 approaches, Luxury Escapes’ bookings are skyrocketing along with the demand for luxury tourism offerings which provide exclusivity, comfort, and personalization. The trend stems from high net and ultra high net worth individuals having increased disposable incomes and the desire for high luxury experiences that are often once in a lifetime.

Notable luxury travel and high demand accommodation offerings for this Thanksgiving include the Maldives, Bora Bora, French Polynesia and Switzerland. The French Polynesia private luxury villa demand is especially surging along with high demand private sailing yacht charters, exclusive luxury African safari lodges, and boutique pilgrimage experiences. The demand in private and exclusive offerings reflect a growing desire for personalised immersion travel.

In an attempt to escape the holiday travel chaos, luxury travelers continue to choose remote high luxury destinations, especially those that have a peak in holiday travel. Expect to see personalized world class beachfront spas, private chefs, and luxury world class wellness resorts to be the most in demand offerings.

THEY CHOOSE TO HAVE INCREDIBLE TRAVELS

Travelers with disposable income have changed the way they view lux vacations. For some, the idea of a “vacation” is simply a time to relax, but for more of these affluent travelers, the idea of a “lux” getaway is to attain cultural appreciation, to gain authentic experiences, and to leisurely have personal development. It is the case with private cooking lessons in Tuscany, guided historical tours in Kyoto, or wellness retreats in bali. Traveling high end is something that is prioritised.

According to Virtuoso, there is a demand for longer and more scheduled vacations, which accounts for the rise in bookings over the Thanksgiving holiday. This refines the broad trends in luxury travel to a more extended stay, as affluent travelers are more immersed in and willing to deeply explore different cultures, piquing their curiosity.

Private Travel and Exclusive Experiences

One of the main trends in luxury travel is private travel. Things like bespoke private jets or chartered yachts and bespoke travel plans are on the rise. While HNWI have more tailored full seamless travel experiences, such as private airport transfers, the rise in bespoke plans are mostly because of an airport’s crowded spaces, along with the public sheltering.

Especially when travelling with family and friends, the appeal of luxury cruises and rental of private villas has also gained popularity. The demand for private islands and remote luxury accommodations, such as high-end boutique hotels, continues to grow, as these places offer travelers an opportunity to completely disconnect and spend time in peaceful, private, and remote locations.

Tourism Destinations That Appeal to Luxury Travellers

For this holiday season, luxury travelers are heading to some of the world’s most exclusive and prestigious destinations. Remote and luxurious beach getaways in The Maldives, Bora Bora, and the French Polynesia are all still top destinations. Alpine resorts for skiing and spas in Switzerland are also popular, as they combine a stunning location with adventure and relaxation.

For high-end travelers, North America also remains an attractive region, with Napa Valley in California leading the charge for wine tourism and New York City as an iconic spot for top-tier shopping, Broadway shows, and other exclusive offerings. Luxury travellers continue to seek out Africa’s safari destinations, such as Botswana and Tanzania, for unique wildlife experiences complemented by top-tier accommodations.

Anticipating Growth in Luxury Travel

The years leading up to 2026 indicate that the luxury travel industry will keep flourishing, much like the rest of the global travel industry that continues to show resilient strength even beyond the present economic climate. Private travel and experiential holidays, as verified by Virtuoso’s Luxe Report, continue leading growth as moneyed vacationers actively seek more tailored, destination, and comfort travel. Cruises, personalised itineraries, and unique activities are in demand as wealthy travelers seek safe, luxurious, and meaningful holidays.

In the near future, the massive growth predicted in affluent tourism will have an unprecedented positive ripple effect across global travel. Major beneficiaries will include hospitality, transportation, and ancillary services in the top tourism economies. As luxury, immersion travel continues to attract new affluent travellers, the demand in this sector will soar, and so will the rate of growth in luxury travel.

Conclusion

Thanksgiving of 2025 will be the first time the luxury travel sector will complete sales 36% higher than the previous cycle, combining record travel volumes with an increase of 20% in tourist travelers booking luxury travel segments. This trend in the luxury travel sector will continue as private travel, experiential tourism, and specialized, niche travel segments continue to be in demand by wealthy, luxury travelers. The holiday travel and tourism sector will continue to demonstrate that luxury travelers have the capacity to travel and that destinations across the globe will be more than ready to service the demand of these elite travelers.