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By Joe Maloney
Vice President of Travel & Retail Operations

It’s no secret that I love my job, and one of the things I love most about working in travel is just how dynamic this business is – trends change meaningfully year over year as travelers seek out new experiences.

Coloradans, spoiled at home by our magnificent state, are particularly savvy when it comes to building unforgettable travel experiences. Here’s what they’re looking for – and why they seek out our expertise – based on analysis of tens of thousands of annual bookings through our AAA Colorado Travel Agency:

Destinations

Italy 
Long Europe’s most popular destination, and for good reason: Italy has the highest concentration of UNESCO World Heritage Sites of any destination in the world, not to mention some of the best food and wine. We send more Coloradans to Italy than anywhere else, and can curate the perfect trip, tailor-made to your interests. Buon viaggio!

Greece 
American interest in Greece has surged now that the country emerges from several years of economic difficulty. In my eyes, Greece offers the perfect blend of history, culture, and an incredible culinary scene with a pace that can be as slow or ambitious as you want.

United Kingdom 
After Italy, the United Kingdom remains one of Europe’s most popular destinations. One definite upside of Brexit is that the pound has taken a bit of a hit of late – so Britain is as affordable as I have seen it in my 30 years of curating travel. Take it from me, an old Great Britain tour guide: Get outside of London and visit places such as the Scottish Highlands, the Lake district, North Wales, the Cotswolds, or any of the UK’s beautiful and fascinating regions. Our AAA Travel Agents are experts, and they’ll build you the perfect trip at the right price.

Hawaii 
The Aloha State has always been popular, but with more and more direct flights from Denver, it’s more accessible than it’s ever been and Coloradans are taking advantage of that accessibility. Because of our scale and reputation, AAA can negotiate outstanding deals with many, many hotels, resorts, and other properties throughout the Hawaiian Islands. 

Portugal and Spain 
Portugal is an emerging bucket list destination for many Coloradans due to its beautiful beaches, singular history and cuisine, and incredible attractions. Many travelers will include Spain in their trips to Portugal – or vice versa, and I rank both among my favorites. From tapas and fiery Flamenco in Spain to port wine and Fado in Portugal, the two are compelling on their own and go spectacularly well together. And you can join AAA Colorado President and CEO Linda Cavanagh for a wine-themed river cruise down Portugal’s Douro river in August of 2020.

Travel by Train 
Train trips through the Canadian Rockies make for some of the most stunning vacation photos you’ll ever take, and our Travel Agents can arrange an incredible deal thanks to our relationship with Rocky Mountaineer. Or pop on one of our wine trains out of Denver straight to the tantalizing wineries dotting the Western Slope.

Alaskan Cruising 
Rivaling Italy in popularity, this domestic trip is accessible and a perennial favorite for Coloradans. Look for our 2020 President’s Cruise and join Linda Cavanagh to see “Alaska Off the Beaten Path” on an exclusive cruise and tour that combines must-sees on land with a breathtaking sea route. 

Trends

  1. Unique Experiences. Plain and simple, Coloradans are traveling more often. As they become more seasoned travelers, they increasingly seek experiences that are off the beaten path or different from the mainstream – something that sets their itineraries apart from the norm. Something, in short, worth writing home about.

  2. Immersion. When we think about why we want to travel, what we’re really seeking are life-changing experiences. We want to get immersed in a culture so much that we come back as a different person, just for taking the trip. More and more, travelers are booking trips that include cooking classes, home-family stays, and culture-specific activities that give them a deeper perspective on a destination’s everyday life.

  3. Special Interests. Coloradans cultivate and nourish meaningful hobbies and interests here at home. When they travel, they take those interests to the next level. Foodies, budding sommeliers, and recreational cyclists all request travel packages that speak to their specific interests. River cruises are particularly great for this. Imagine booking a wine-themed cruise that visits renowned wineries and includes a wine-making host. Top destinations include Bordeaux, Provence, and the Rhine and Danube Rivers in Europe.

  4. Giving Back. Travelers often return from abroad feeling like they belong to a global community. More and more, they’re also drawn to giving back to the cultures they visit. Look for a “Me to We” program AAA Colorado will offer to Peru in September 2020, incorporating four days of community service and complete immersion.

  5. Soft Adventure. It’s no secret: Coloradans are some of the most active folks in the entire country. That’s why we’re seeing many AAA members design trips that enrich sightseeing with physical activity. Examples abound: Small ship cruising aboard Uncruise with active itineraries including rafting and hiking; bicycling through Europe or North America (strenuous or easy – your choice) with Vermont Bicycle Tours; visiting the Arctic or Antarctic polar regions with our world-renowned polar conservationist Denise Landau; even experiencing an endless winter by taking a ski tour to the Southern Hemisphere during Colorado’s off-season summer months.

  6. Affinity Travel. Invariably, we’re at our happiest when we travel with folks who share things in common with us – commonalities that are strengthened through travel. I love seeing the immediate bonding that comes with realizing your fellow travelers come from the same towns, share friends, frequent the same restaurants and haunts. Countless times, people who met on one of our AAA Colorado group departures have formed friendships, spent time together back home, and even planned their next trips together. Look for these best-in-class offerings at AAA.com, or visit one of our AAA Travel Agents for more details on our unique offerings presented only to our members in Colorado.

Travel Bites: Shopping Travel Packages

Keep this simple advice in mind whenever you’re booking travel:

  • “All Inclusive” should mean “All Inclusive” for the best value. Does it include all the sightseeing and shore excursions, or will you have to pay extra? Does it include drinks? Or will you have to pay for a “premium” wine package?
  • If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
  • Travel with an established, reputable company for an experience that meets your expectations – any experienced travel professional who has their hand on the pulse in the industry can steer you towards an intelligent choice.
  • Book early to get the best deals and the assurances that you’ll get exactly what you want. The time to book 2020 cruises is now. For guided vacations or tours, you’ll get the most aggressive deals in September and October.
  • Use a professional travel agent – they have information, connections, and deals you can’t find on your own!
  • Always, always, always purchase travel insurance. Remember that it’s not only you and your health to consider, and if a family member falls seriously ill or something happens to your home while away, or countless other tragedies – you may have to cut your trip short – which can become extremely expensive.

 

Visit any one of our travel agents at your nearest AAA location. To find an agent, visit AAA.com.