ROME, Aug 12 — Wealthy travellers with money to spend are increasingly expressing interest in Africa for this winter’s holiday season, with travel to the continent showing the highest year-over-year growth.

According to a new report from international luxury travel network Virtuoso, Africa is the only continent to post a sales increase this winter among elite, affluent holidaymakers, with sales up 28 per cent over last year.

Travel to Kenya, for instance, is poised to spike 59 per cent compared to last year, making it the fastest-growing destination.

Likewise, travel to South Africa has increased 28 per cent, and bookings to Tanzania have risen 27 per cent.

Virtuoso credits the rising interest in safari expeditions for the spike in travel bookings this winter, as they hold particular appeal for multi-generational family trips.

Meanwhile, the top three most popular holiday destinations this winter are perennial favourites across Europe — Italy, followed by France and the UK.

And this holiday season, lower average daily rates at hotels across Europe are likely to attract not just the traveling elite, but also budget-conscious holidaymakers keen on scoring a deal.

Average daily hotel rates in Paris, for instance, are down 2 per cent; rates in Rome are down 6 per cent, London 7 per cent, and Barcelona 15 per cent when compared to summer rates.

Figures reflect future travel between September and December 2016.

Virtuoso is an international network specialising in luxury travel and is comprised of 390 agency members, and 11,400 travel advisors in 40 countries around the world.

Here are the top 10 most popular autumn and winter travel destinations among wealthy travellers:

1. Italy

2. France

3. United Kingdom

4. South Africa

5. Spain

6. Mexico

7. China

8. Australia

9. New Zealand

10. Israel

Countries that have seen the largest percentage growth year-over-year:

1. Kenya

2. Iceland

3. Saint Martin

4. China

5. Ecuador

6. Japan

7. South Africa

8. Tanzania

9. Croatia

10. Jamaica — AFP-Relaxnews