Fora Announces 2023 Travel Hot List: Trends, Destinations & New Hotels

Image courtesy of Amanyara

New York, NY: If 2022 was the year the world “reopened,” what does that make 2023?

At Fora, a modern travel agency based in NYC, early booking trends are painting the picture of 2023 travel, which starts with two words: bucket list.

“Wanderlust is at an all-time high,” said Fora’s co-founder Henley Vazquez, a career travel agent with 15+ years of experience. “This is the year to take that bucket list trip you’ve always dreamed about, whether it’s a multi-generational safari in Tanzania or solo adventure to Paris.”

2023 is also the year the early bird gets the worm. Advanced planning will be crucial, for bucket list trips and even shorter getaways. "With such high hotel demand and recent airline issues, 2023 vacations will need to be planned more than six months in advance,” Henley added.

But 2023 is not all about the advanced-planned bucket list trip. In fact, “several trends we saw emerge post-pandemic, like last-minute vacations and visiting popular destinations in the off-season, are not going anywhere.” A healthy mix of all different types of travel — “anything goes,” if you will — will be the hallmark of 2023.

These are the trending destinations & hotels for 2023, based on bookings data from Fora's advisor community, as well as intel from Henley Vazquez. Download Fora's 2023 Hot List or read on for a preview.

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1. Europe's hot spots: Paris, Cannes, Rome, London

Image courtesy of Six Senses Rome

While perennial favorites, Italy and France, were two of Fora’s most-booked destinations of 2022 (by far), 2023 is poised to be better than ever for European travel. “Europe is as hot as ever, and there are tons of big hotel openings (and reopenings) in glamorous cities this year,” Henley said. 

First, in France, Cannes is stepping into the spotlight thanks to the Carlton, a legendary Grande Dame hotel reopening in the spring following one of the most expensive hotel restorations in France’s history. Meanwhile, in the City of Light, Le Grand Mazarin will be the coolest new place to stay, a five-star boutique hotel in the Marais. (If the French capital is calling you, check out a few more of the best hotels in Paris.) Also notable is the opening of the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London (spring 2023). And, in the Eternal City, excellent brands are laying down roots: The Rome Edition, Six Senses Rome, Intercontinental and Nobu Roma are all opening this year.

2. Turks & Caicos

Image courtesy of Parrot Cay

Turks & Caicos, with its crystal-clear waters and direct flights from many US cities, was the sixth most popular country to visit in Fora’s community last year. What’s more, resorts on the island were some of Fora’s top-booked hotels in 2022: “the island is home to some of our favorite hotels in the Caribbean, including Amanyara, Parrot Cay, Grace Bay Club and Shore Club. The little sister property to Grace Bay, Rock House, opened last May, and I can’t wait to check it out.” Henley said. (Check out more of the best hotels in Turks & Caicos.)

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