Travel News

Gourmet Traveller 2017 travel trends revealed

Wondering where the new in-demand destinations are? We’ve pulled the results of our Gourmet Explorer quiz to highlight the new travel hotspots worth visiting and help inspire your next overseas jaunt.

Wharekauhau Lodge, New Zealand
With a seemingly never-ending travel bucket list that everyone has nowadays, it can be tricky to narrow down the next must-see holiday destination. Or even lock in the type of trip you're looking to take: revved-up action and adventure or low-key culture and a great tipple?
To ensure your next trip is as thrill-seeking or relaxing as you require, we've curated a specially-designed Gourmet Explorer quiz with American Express to help determine exactly where that elusive and enchanting destination is -  by posing all the right questions to remove the time-consuming legwork and get you there faster.
So far the quiz has highlighted a few key travel trends and destinations from our esteemed readers that may inspire and ignite a new travel interest for you, too. 
It seems readers are keener than ever to discover close-by locales, with Wellington wielding the most appeal, followed by Asian destinations Kyoto and the ever-buzzy Hong Kong. If you've ever fancied a jaunt across the Tasman to New Zealand's capital, perched seaside at the bottom of the North Island, now's the time. Explore our picks of what to dine on, where to enjoy a tipple, and where to call home during your time there (and quickly see why a stay at the super-luxe Wharekauhau Estate should be on your bucket list) with our comprehensive guide.
Next on the list are longer-haul European destinations Barcelona and Paris, with the Spanish culture capital peaking above the fine dining-laden city of lights, its vibrant cityscape proving too compelling for 'oui' Paris. See whether Barcelona will be the city to draw you in, or Paris has your heart, by taking the quiz now.
The European cities piqued readers' interest over Thailand's Chiang Mai, Bali and Brazilian hotspot Rio de Janeiro, home to what's possibly the world's most famous beach. Though their appeal may seem niche, if you're seeking a stay in a five-star retreat/spa, the experience of dining in a private rice paddy or luxe treehouse, or watching the sun rise from the summit of an active volcano, they might have more to offer than you'd thought. Take the quiz to find out where to get your fill with those once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
When it comes to landing on a holiday destination, often it's as much about consciously choosing a destination as it is about satisfying an impalpable yearning, whether for rest, relaxation, adventure or just a touch of culture.
It seems a sense of adventure trumps the desire to relax, with just over half of quiz-takers looking to appease a sense of adventure, the rest favouring relaxation. Of the adventurers, 62 per cent are looking to explore the sights, tastes and history of a place, rather, than say, get their adrenaline fix on the ski slopes-only 38 per cent of you are looking to get your kicks via more extreme methods. Given the option to indulge (read: finding zen while stationary) or seek out a spot of nature, the former seems to be your holiday raison d'être. If you're still searching for yours, let the quiz help you find it.
From there, your dream destination is closer than you think-sign up for an American Express Explorer™ Credit Card online before 15 May 2017 and you'll also be eligible for an annual $400 travel credit and two complimentary entries per year to the American Express Lounge at Sydney International Airport^. You'll also receive 100,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you spend $1,500 in the first three months* - not a bad way to kick off your travels.
This article is presented by American Express Membership Rewards
^Terms and conditions apply.
*Terms and conditions apply. Bonus Points offer ends 15 May 2017 and minimum spend criteria of $1,500 and conditions apply. Visit American Express Explorer for more information.