LOVERS OF LUXURY: THANKS TO TRAVEL, BRITS ARE ENJOYING LUXURY MORE THAN EVER BEFORE

• Over half (53%) of Brits experience true luxury multiple times every year

• Brits go abroad on holiday two times per year on average, with one in five going on three or more

• 11 is the average number of countries visited by Brits

• Millennials enjoy luxury experiences more than any other generation

New research into luxury experiences by MSC Cruises has revealed that Brits are experiencing luxury more than ever before thanks to our love for travel. The data found that a third of us experience luxury more when travelling compared to being at home (29%), over half (53%) are experiencing luxury every year or more, and over a third are doing so due to their holidays (34%). A lucky one in 10 of us admit to experiencing luxury every single day (12%).

Whilst our love of holidays means that the average Brit goes abroad on holiday twice a year and has visited 11 different places in their lifetime, two thirds are still looking for more luxurious holidays each year (64%), with women (68%) more likely to feel this way compared to men (60%).

With regards to where Brits consider the most luxurious destinations it’s unsurprising that Dubai, Seychelles and Maldives take the top spots. The top attributes required for luxurious holiday are seven-star experiences (37%), service (37%), culture (26%) and landscape (23%).

MSC Cruises, the world’s largest privately-owned cruise company, commissioned the research ahead of the start of the winter cruise season in the Emirates, which includes destinations such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The study found that when in search of luxury, 37% of people look to a cruise and 29% to all-inclusive resorts.

Top 10 most luxurious destinations:

1. Maldives (32%)

2. Seychelles (28%)

3. Dubai (26%)

4. Monaco (19%)

5. New York (14%)

6. Abu Dhabi (13%)

7. Fiji (12%)

8. Venice (10%)

9. Paris (9%)

10. Singapore (9%)

When looking further into generational differences, the research found that Millennials are more likely to experience luxury (73%) compared to the older Generation X (69%) and Baby Boomers (62%).

In fact, half (49%) of Millennials believe they experience more luxury than their parents did at the same age, admitting they have fewer responsibilities (30%) and a different lifestyle (42%) making it easier to find time to enjoy the finer things in life.

It’s the generation of the traveller, with half of Millennials most likely to go on more than two holidays per year (47%), compared with those in Generation X (43%) and the Baby Boomers (39%). Having caught the travel bug, Millennials are also most likely to wish that they were able to go more luxurious holidays (72%) despite filling their passports more than most.

However, it seems that their love for luxury has them most worried about money, as one in 10 Millennials (8%) avoid checking their bank balance.

It’s not just Millennials that have a love of luxury, as when compared with men, women are more likely to care about exclusivity (35% vs. 29%), quality (51% vs. 42%) and superiority (27% vs. 20%).

When asked what they enjoy most about experiencing luxury, Brits admit that having a treat to themselves (22%), feeling special (18%) and taking the time to relax (8%) mean the most. Our busy schedules and hectic lives are having an impact, as one in 12 Brits look to luxury as an opportunity to take a break from their daily life.

Antonio Paradiso, MSC Cruises’ UK Managing Director, said: “With luxury being so important to our guests, MSC Cruises are committed to offering a slice of luxury to everyone with our exclusive destinations, service and offering. As many people in the UK have wanderlust, choosing a cruise is the perfect option, with all our itineraries going to multiple destinations so you can get the best of both worlds whilst experiencing luxury at every stop.

“Our winter offering to The Emirates is the perfect choice for this, allowing guests to visit one of the most sought-after destinations in the world whilst travelling in luxury.”

It’s important to take advantage of having more options, more destinations to visit and experience what the world has to offer every now and then. As a relatively new destination and most known for its luxury nature, MSC Cruises has enhanced its range of cruises to The Emirates. This addition to the winter 18/19 season offers guests the opportunity for extended winter sun cruise holidays, and the chance to discover more exotic destinations. For more information or to book, visit www.mscruises.co.uk, call 020 3426 3010 or visit your local travel agent.

About MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises is the world’s largest privately-owned cruise company and the number one cruise line in Europe and South America. A game-changer in the world of cruises, the Company has achieved 800% growth in its first ten years, building a global reputation in the industry and one of the youngest cruise fleets at sea. MSC Cruises is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

The MSC Cruises fleet currently comprises 15 ultra-modern, highly innovative and elegantly designed ships, offering an unparalleled holiday experience with always delicious and authentic food, award-winning entertainment, plenty of relaxation, comfortable accommodation, as well as impeccable service and expertise.

Under its ambitious industry-unprecedented €11.6 billion investment plan, the fleet is set to expand to 25 mega-cruise ships by 2026. To date, MSC Cruises has designed six new ship classes, all prototypes that push the boundaries of marine architecture and design.

MSC Cruises feels a deep responsibility towards the physical and human environments in which it operates. The Company operates with the greatest respect for the world’s oceans and is on an ongoing journey to further develop innovative ways of lowering the environmental impact of its cruise passages.

MSC Cruises’ holiday experiences are sold across the globe through a distribution network in 70 countries. The Company employs over 23,500 people worldwide, both ashore and on board its ships. MSC Cruises is part of MSC Group which is comprised of leading transport and logistics companies.

More information at http://www.mscpressarea.com