The coming year 2011 marks the beginning of a significant major trend in the travel business. It is the Golden Age of Baby Boomer Travel and will officially begin on the stroke of midnight on 1/1/11!

According to a recent article in trade publication Travel Weekly Natalia Thomson states “Every day for the next 19 years, more than 11,000 U.S. boomers will celebrate a 65th birthday. Every day that’s 3 to 4 million new people every year, for the next 18 years in the U.S. alone.”

The “Baby Boomers” are people who were born between the years of 1946 and 1964. They represent the world’s largest and richest generation and they are starting to retire.

And now that they have the time and the money to do what they want to, do guess what ranks at the top of their “to do” list? That’s right! It is travel.

Perhaps when armed with this knowledge that the U.S. Tour Operators Association (USTOA) has just issued its first World’s Best list, ranking destinations in a variety of categories. Italy took top honors as best destination in four categories — architecture, walking, romance and culinary/wine experience. The country also trailed just behind France as best for art and culture, with France second as best destination for a romantic vacation. London placed first for entertainment, with New York and Rio de Janeiro closely tied for the second spot. However, New York edged out both Hong Kong and Italy as the best shopping destination.

Winning destinations were based on informal rankings by more than 50 of the top companies arranging vacation experiences, tour and packages worldwide

The USTOA 2010 Rankings for World’s Best Destination were as follows: for adventure, soft adventure — Costa Rica and New Zealand; for architecture — Italy (cited by nearly 55 percent of respondents) and Spain (cited by some 30 percent); for art and culture — France (cited by more than 50 percent) and Italy (cited by 40 percent); for entertainment — London, New York and Rio de Janeiro; for history — Egypt, the U.K. and Israel; for romance — Italy (cited by 50 percent) and France (cited by more than 40 percent); for shopping — New York City (cited by one-third of respondents), Hong Kong (cited by nearly 30 percent) and Italy (cited by 25 percent); for walking — Italy, U.S. Western National Parks and Prague; and for wine, dining and culinary experience: Italy (cited by 45 percent), France (cited by 20 percent), Spain (cited by 13 percent) and Napa Valley (cited by 12 percent).

In 2010 USTOA members provided vacation arrangements for more than 11 million people.

The association’s members must meet the travel industry’s highest requirements, including participation in the USTOA Travelers Assistance Program, which requires, among other things, that each Active Member set aside $1 million security to protect consumer deposits and payment in the event the company goes out of business. I sell and recommend USTOA products without hesitation.

For a list of USTOA members and the destinations that they offer visit your local travel agent.

According to a just released Forrester Research report the number of travelers who said they would be interested in using travel agents has increased.

Several reasons people are keen to use traditional travel agents include that they lack the time, ability or desire to do research and to seek out travel agent deals and specials. Another area identified in the survey was that travel supplier websites have become too complex and confusing.

The Travel Professor agrees with these Forrester findings! How about you?

I would also like to know your feelings on the best destination list. Do you readers out there in print and/or cyber land agree or disagree? What’s your favorite domestic or international destination? Email your selections and comments to thetravelprofessor@gmail.com or give me a call at 740.550.9540.

Here’s an old Irish blessing to welcome in the New Year; “May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sunshine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”

Have a safe and pleasant holiday period.

Steve Call