Italy remains top international destination for 2024; France, Mexico, Portugal, and Spain also strong

According to results from a newly released survey, Italy is the top international destination currently being booked for 2024 by Canadian travel advisors with First in Service Travel LTD (F1S).

In fact, at 67 per cent, Italy leads all other countries by a wide margin when F1S advisors named the top three locations they are booking outside of Canada. This marks the third year in a row that Italy has been the top international destination, according to F1S advisors.

“The ongoing desire among Canadians to visit Italy simply cannot be overstated. It is as popular as ever,” notes Fernando Gonzalez, Chief Executive Officer, F1S. “Among the most sought-after places we’re seeing within Italy for next year include Rome, Puglia and the Amalfi Coast, which together offer unparalleled history, culture, epicurean delights and natural beauty.”

Among the Canadian F1S advisors naming Italy as one of their three top destinations was Linda Montemarano, who added, “Italy will always be at the top of my list in part because I’m Italian, and I have a very large Italian clientele. There is also the unending desire for incredible food.”

Another agent, was Crystal Lynn Lambkin, who noted “For Italy, I arranged several multi-generational family trips, such as grandparents taking the grandchildren to see where they grew up and wanted to share their culture.”

F1S’ top country destinations from Canada include:

• Italy (67 per cent, with Amalfi Coast, Puglia and Rome all named)
• France (25 per cent named)
• Mexico (25 per cent, with Mexico City named)
• Portugal (25 per cent)
• Spain (25 per cent, with Madrid named)
• Greece (17 per cent)
• Japan (17 per cent, with Tokyo named)
• United States (17 per cent, with Alaska and Hawaii named)

“While there are no real surprises on this list of top countries our advisors are booking, Portugal has certainly cemented its status as a must-see destination,” explains Fernando Gonzalez, F1S Chief Executive Officer. “The demand for travel to Japan has only intensified over the past year since the country reopened after the pandemic, and we fully expect that trend to continue.”

“Portugal is a bit more reasonably priced than other European countries,” notes F1S advisor Michelle Green, who adds, “River cruising is very popular within Portugal.”

“Japan is so culturally rich, and its people are so incredibly gracious that it continues to be wildly popular,” states Lambkin.

Combined results of Canadian and U.S. F1S advisors

For those wondering if the results differed among American agents, Italy also maintains its first-place ranking by a healthy margin when survey results of F1S advisors in the United States are added into the mix. 

However, the rest of the mix varies:

• Italy (56 per cent)
• France (32 per cent)
• United Kingdom (24 per cent)
• Japan (20 per cent)
• Spain (20 per cent)
• Greece (16 per cent)
• Mexico (16 per cent)
• Spain (16 per cent)
• Costa Rica (8 per cent)
• Croatia (8 per cent)
• Iceland (8 per cent)