Virgin Limited Edition has announced plans to open a new Marrakech hotel in 2027, marking its second property in Morocco and expanding its presence in North Africa.
The property will be located on a ten-hectare agricultural estate around 25 minutes from the city centre and will be delivered in partnership with local real estate company Sazanes Immobilier, with construction already underway. The project will include 37 suites, with the first 22 expected to open in early 2027 and the remaining 15 scheduled for completion in early 2028.
Set among citrus orchards, olive groves and vegetable gardens, the hotel has been designed to offer a quieter alternative to staying within the city’s busy Medina. At the same time, its proximity allows guests to explore Marrakech’s food, craft and cultural scene before returning to a more rural setting.
The property will complement Virgin Limited Edition’s existing Moroccan retreat, Kasbah Tamadot, which sits in the Atlas Mountains about an hour away. Together, the two locations will enable travellers to combine time in the city and mountains within the same brand portfolio.
Plans for the Marrakech hotel include three restaurants, a chef’s table and a speakeasy-style bar. Much of the food offering will be supplied by produce grown on-site, reflecting a wider move in hospitality towards local sourcing and seasonal menus. Alongside dining, the hotel will feature a traditional Moroccan hammam, a 40-metre swimming pool and a range of leisure activities including tennis, padel and horse riding.
A key part of the concept is a programme of cultural experiences, which Virgin Limited Edition describes as central to its guest offering. These are expected to focus on Moroccan traditions, crafts and everyday life, giving visitors a structured way to engage with the destination.
The architecture and interiors of the Marrakech hotel will draw on local building techniques and materials. Stone and wood will be used throughout, while artworks by Moroccan and African artists will be displayed across the property. An events space is also planned, which will be used for exhibitions and provide a platform for local creatives.
Joe Margison, CEO of Virgin Hotels Collection, says: “Morocco has an incredible heritage of hospitality, and we are excited to bring our approach of offering exceptional experiences and service with soul to a second Moroccan setting."
The Chreky family, founders of Sazanes Immobilier, says: “Our vision for this estate is to create a destination that feels intimately connected to its surroundings, shaped by the land and traditions of Moroccan design.”
Sustainability is positioned as a core part of the project, with buildings designed to sit within the landscape rather than dominate it. The use of farmland as the setting for the Marrakech hotel reflects a broader trend in luxury travel, where rural and agricultural environments are being integrated into hospitality developments.
The project will also include a residential component, although further details about this have not yet been released. This signals a growing interest among hotel brands in expanding into branded residences, allowing guests to extend their relationship with a brand beyond short stays.
Bookings for the Marrakech hotel are expected to open in September 2026, ahead of the phased launch beginning in 2027.
Virgin Limited Edition is part of Virgin Hotels Collection, which was formed in January 2023 as the parent company of Virgin Hotels and Virgin Limited Edition. The group operates a portfolio of properties across locations including the British Virgin Islands, South Africa, Kenya, Switzerland and Spain.
This latest announcement reflects continued investment in Morocco as a destination for high-end tourism, particularly in areas just outside major cities where space allows for larger, experience-led developments.
Marrakech may only be a short flight away from the UK and yet it’s vastly foreign, differing in everything from climate to cuisine. For this reason the city (and more specifically, it’s iconic Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech hotel) has long been an attraction for British travellers, promising an escape that’s easy to get to and yet still culturally unique. Now in its 11th year of operation, the hotel continues to impress with delicious food offerings and a wide array of leisure activities.
A spacious hotel with villas and a golf course sprawled over 231 hectares on the outskirts of Marrakech. It’s a breezy 20 minutes from the city centre and Old Town, as well as 20 minutes from the airport.
The Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech bills itself as a destination within a destination. For those wanting to explore the city there are regular free shuttles into the city centre with its gardens, palaces and bustling markets. However, many guests will already have experienced Marrakech and be attracted to the hotel for its calm ambience, world class restaurants and plentiful attractions – it’s not uncommon for guests to remain in the hotel for their entire stay.
Due to the wide variety of facilities and activities it’s fair to say there are many types of visitors attracted to the hotel. Families will love the spacious grounds and large swimming pools, as well as the genuinely enticing kid’s clubs (children can get involved in cooking classes, crafts, pottery and even olive harvesting). Sports enthusiasts can play tennis and padel, there is a gym and a challenging 18-hole golf course (the only one attached to a luxury hotel in Marrakech).
Adventurous groups can sign up for offsite quad bikes and camel rides, while the hotel also caters well to large groups, such as weddings parties or corporate events, in its elegant private ballroom. And last but not least, the "fly and flop" holidaymakers will love the spa and hammam facilities, as well as lounging by the pool enjoying the all-year-round sunny climate.
The interiors are modern and understated. Expect lots of elegant fabric and classical leather, typical of Moroccan households.
The rooms and villas are all large and spacious, with a deluxe room at the hotel easily passing for a suite in most others. The buildings are laid out in a U-shape so as to each have views of the lush gardens and golf course, framed by the picturesque snowy Atlas Mountains on the horizon. The style is similar to the local riads of Morocco: perfectly symmetrical, and with lots of open archways to allow natural light and a refreshing breeze.
The Al Ain restaurant serves a fusion of Moroccan, Lebanese and Oriental deliciousness, boasting plentiful sharing dishes perfect for those wanting to sample many flavours. Guests are truly spoilt for choice: Capricci (under its new chef Modestino Pescatore) serves delightful Italian cuisine, the recently renovated L’Olivier is about to introduce its new menu of Mediterranean food, and Le Sabra (to be found at the golf course clubhouse) is great for more casual dining. All the food is mesmerising, but it’s the Moroccan dishes in particular that make the biggest impression, such as the Tagine Dyal Lhoot (fish tagine) and the Tangia Marrakchia (beef shank).
The signature drink at "Le Bar" is a strong lemonade (with ginger and honey for those wanting the health benefits, or a splash of vodka for those kicking back on holiday). The locally produced "Bahja" house wines (red, white and rose) are all easy on the palette and very enjoyable, while the Capricci restaurant has an enviable wine cellar for those seeking a wider choice.
There’s something about a warm, sunny climate that encourages good living; meals are lighter and exercising seems easier. That healthy lifestyle becomes even more accessible at the Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech thanks to the welcoming fitness facilities, yoga studio, and range of padel and tennis courts.
However, the highlight is the Fairmont spa, which alone makes the journey worthwhile. The traditional Moroccan hammam baths are wonderfully relaxing and cleansing, as are the facial treatments and hot stone therapies. The spa staff are excellent, likewise the wide range of marocMaroc and Natura Bissé spa products they use for treatments.
All rooms are large and helpfully equipped with a desk, good lighting, and fast wifi. There’s also a secluded library, or for those looking to combine work with suntanning there are tables on many of the terraces overlooking the pool.
The hotel is best known for its unique experiences. Every few months there are signature garden parties (“Arabian Nights”), complete with DJs, dancers and even a tethered hot air balloon for short "captive" rides. There are also experiences offered for those not partying – in the right season guests can help harvest olives from the many trees on the property, or give beekeeping or cooking classes a try.
Lush golf courses set in desert climates are not normally good for the environment, so it’s reassuring to know all the water used to keep the gardens and golf course green has been recycled from the hotel. Solar panels are used to heat water, single use plastics are out, and staff on site use electric golf carts rather than vehicles. The hotel has a small organic farm to grow herbs, and chickens to lay eggs.
Ilham Berrada, director of marketing for the hotel, advises guests to make use of the many experiences on offer. There are pottery classes from a full time potter, sports camps and even cosmetic classes at its farm, teaching participants how to make lipsticks and moisturisers from natural ingredients.
Service is occasionally a touch on the slow side, but all the staff are so genuinely warm and friendly it’s quickly forgotten. Abdessamad at the golf centre is particularly helpful, while Mehdi the tennis and padel coach runs fun and stimulating lessons for both children and adults. And last but not least, Ayoub (in-room dining manager) is a great person to know if you’d like to plan a wedding proposal or special celebration.
Everything is as well maintained and well equipped as you’d expect from a five-star hotel. The food is delicious, the staff are friendly and the pool is never more than a hop and a skip away. With Morocco enjoying about 300 days of sun per year you’re almost guaranteed a sunny and stress-free holiday.
Rates are competitive when compared to a similar level of hotel in the UK. Deluxe rooms start from £360 per couple per night (on a bed and breakfast basis during low season) and typically rise to a starting price of £800 during high season (October to March).
Intrepid Travel has released its Not Hot List 2025, produced in collaboration with Globetrender.
This curated selection features ten lesser-known, under appreciated destinations poised to captivate travellers seeking meaningful experiences away from overcrowded tourist hotspots.
The list, a result of extensive research by Globetrender and Intrepid’s global team and local operations experts in 27 cities worldwide, aims to address overtourism by redirecting travellers to regions that can truly benefit from increased visitors.
It highlights both alternative areas in popular countries and emerging destinations often overshadowed by their neighbours.
The 2025 Not Hot List includes:
"Although many popular destinations around the world are straining under the pressure of crowds, it's also important to remember that the sector provides a vital source of income to individuals and local businesses the world over so tourist dispersal is essential to sustainability," says founder and CEO of Globetrender, Jenny Southan.
"Everyone - from consumers to the travel press, travel agents and tour operators - has a responsibility to be more imaginative in their trip planning, and seek out places that truly value the presence of visitors."
Erica Kritikides, general manager of Global Product for Intrepid Travel, adds: "Our annual Not Hot List strives to bring travellers off the tourist track, and highlight destinations where tourism can bring outstretched benefits to the host communities. 
“While promoting alternative destinations is a small part of the solution to overtourism, we remain committed to addressing the bigger issues through our product design. We are the antithesis of massive cruise ship and big-bus touring. Our group size is very small (average of 10 travellers), we only employ local leaders and almost exclusively use locally owned accommodation and suppliers.
"Developing tourism in concert and consultation with host communities is the best way to combat the negative effects of overtourism.”
To support these emerging destinations, Intrepid has launched four new itineraries:
These complement Intrepid's existing 10-Day Pakistan trekking trip, first launched in 2024.
For detailed insights on each destination, download the full 2025 Not Hot List here.
Photo credits: Intrepid Travel; Temujin Jargalsaikhan for Intrepid Travel
Richard Branson's Moroccan hotel Kasbah Tamadot (part of Virgin Limited Edition) is undergoing a major expansion, with the addition of six opulent riads, opening in July this year.
The award-winning Atlas Mountains retreat, renowned for its authentic Berber hospitality, will then fully re-open on October 15 following renovations prompted by last year's devastating earthquake in the region.
The new three-bedroom private riads can accommodate up to 10 guests each and feature their own lounges, terraces and swimming pools, providing an ultra-exclusive experience within the confines of the luxurious hotel.
A standout feature is the new rooftop tented suite, complete with a hot tub and panoramic mountain views in a modern take on traditional Moroccan design.
Each riad's interior decor draws inspiration from local Berber culture, with soft furnishings handmade by artisans from communities supported by the hotel's charitable arm, the Eve Branson Foundation.
Booking for the new riads will be available from July 1, 2024, with rates starting at MAD 45,100 (£3,530) for a three-bedroom Riad on a B&B basis. Rates for the hotel, open from October 15 onwards, start at MAD 7,200 (£563) based on two people sharing on a B&B basis.
The new accommodations complement Kasbah Tamadot's Berber luxury tents, which feature private terraces some (some also have hot tubs), while the main infinity pool area remains as one of the hotel’s most striking features surrounded by 360-degree views of the High Atlas Mountains. 
Further elevations to the existing property include Asayss, a new Moroccan and international cuisine restaurant debuting in July under existing executive chef Yassine Khalal.
Celebrating local ingredients from the hotel's own kitchen gardens, Asayss takes its name from the traditional Moroccan gathering spaces for poets. It will serve a tasting menu each evening.
Beyond dining, the hotel offers local-inspired spa treatments including a traditional Hamman, as well as authentic Moroccan cooking lessons and guided hiking and cycling in the surrounding Atlas Mountains.
The riads and restaurant opening represent a celebratory milestone after a difficult period. Kasbah Tamadot was impacted by the September 2023 earthquake that struck Morocco's rural communities, with the hotel and Eve Branson Foundation raising £1 million for emergency relief efforts.
Set up in 2020 by two passionate advocates for sustainability and inclusivity, Bilal El Hammoumy and Rania Chentouf, Inclusive Morocco itineraries are "meticulously designed to celebrate the rich tapestry of Moroccan culture, with the local environment top of mind".
The team champions excellent hospitality and inclusiveness, "ensuring every traveller leaves Morocco with a unique and profound connection to the country’s abundant spirit".
What they are not doing is openly and deliberately is promoting themselves as an LGBTQ+ travel company or setting out to attract queer travellers. It's a shame but understandable given the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in the country. (You can be imprisoned for being gay.)
It does say on its website that Inclusive Morocco was created to "ensure an inclusive Morocco for minorities and undermined communities with a commitment to empower women and the LGBTQ community".
Through active engagement with the local LGBTQ+ community and support for non-profit organisations such as the High Atlas Foundation, Association Darna, and Kif Kid Organisation, Inclusive Morocco pledges to contribute significantly to the communities it touches.
Globetrender speaks to El Hammoumy to learn more…
How are you engaging with and supporting the local LGBTQ+ community?
"Inclusive Morocco is engaging with the local LGBTQ+ community through social work, financial support to non-governmental associations as well as raising awareness. We also strive to hire from this community helping them carve a path towards financial independence and eventually freedom to express themselves for who they are truly."
What is the reality of life for queer people in Morocco?
"Sexual relations between members of the same sex are illegal in Morocco and punishable by prison. This is however rarely enforced and especially on foreigners in the country. Hotels and everywhere else do accept same-sex couples and families with no issues.
"Queer life in Morocco differs according the cities. Some cities like Marrakech, Casablanca, Agadir and Tangier are quite liberal and have a vibrant LGBTQ+ community that engages, there is also a lot of community work led by openly queer people. Other smaller cities are more conservative, and the sentiment is still outdated and hence being openly queer there can lead to instances of homophobia and rarely violence."
How can you operate openly as LGBTQ+ business founders and tour leaders when it's illegal to be gay?
"The Moroccan constitution only criminalizes sexual relations. Being gay in itself is not illegal. It was important for us to come out as LGBTQ founded from social impact standpoint. Unfortunately, Morocco, especially in what concerns the tourism industry, is a country where acceptance is practiced but not preached.
"Tourism is a focal sector for a lot of families in Morocco and helps put bread on the table. We also believe that through this conversations we spark, we can dilute some misconceptions about the LGBTQ+ community that exists here due to lack of education."
How can LGBTQ+ remain safe in Morocco?
"We always recommend our guests to steer away from PDA as it is insensitive to the culture whether straight or gay. We do recommend LGBTQ+ friendly hotels, restaurants, bars and clubs. Our transgender guests are advised to dress modestly and avoid grabbing attention as unfortunately, they are the weakest part of the community and can be subject to harassment and homophobia in Morocco."
Is there a secret queer nightlife scene?
"There isn’t a secret queer nightlife per se but in Marrakech, Agadir and Tangier: there is a vibrant queer nightlife and many popular spots that we recommend for LGBTQ+. There are some bars in different cities that have gained a queer reputation over time and in Casablanca, if you are lucky getting tickets, you can watch Kabaret Chikhat which are considered the leaders of the Moroccan drag culture scene."
Are you directly targeting queer travellers? How are you specifically catering to them?
"No we are not solely targeting queer travellers. Inclusive Morocco is targeting all travellers from different backgrounds. Although, we do love working with members of our community and showcasing our Morocco to them. Our sample itineraries are aimed to spark curiosity and interest but most of our trips are tailor-made and hyper personalized accordingly with our guests to respond directly to their aspirations and traveling lifestyle."
If a queer person books with Inclusive Morocco does this mean they will be safer and more secure?
"I believe that a queer person travelling with Inclusive Morocco would be safer, we are openly LGBTQ+ to all our staff so we are highly trained to lead tours in a country like ours so our guests will be totally at ease not fearing judgments from drivers and guides and worrying about their safety. Our guest families will not have to train their children to avoid calling them Mummy or Daddy during the trip in fear of being outed. We have a strict policy in place to promote equity, equality, diversity and community."
Perennially popular Morocco is having a(nother) moment. Featured as one of the world's top travel destinations for this year by The Washington Post, not only is the country planning to launch 35 new air routes across ten airlines, connecting eight Moroccan cities to overseas destinations this summer, but it is also home to a growing high-speed rail line that will connect travellers to places that have so-far been overlooked. Capital Rabat is an excellent case in point.
Too long overshadowed by the likes of sultry Marrakech, with its picture-perfect mountains, bohemian surf haven of Essaouira and "blue pearl" Chefchaouen, is this Rabat's turn in the spotlight?
It's not just transport links proving the tipping point. Zaha Hadid's monumental Grand Théâtre de Rabat coupled with the opening of the Fairmont La Marina Rabat-Salé, the first in a new wave of luxury hotel brands to call the city home is also having an effect (a Four Seasons is also under construction).
Straddling the banks of the Bouregreg river and the Atlantic ocean, the Fairmont urban resort enjoys a commanding position from an easily accessible location, just ten-minutes' drive from the airport and city centre.
The 186-room hotel comprises 27 suites, including four Ocean suites, four Heritage suites and an Ambassador suite that pays homage to first female ambassador of Morocco. Complete with a mini hammam and a glorious terrace with views of the ancient Kasbah, it rings in at a cool €6k a night.
Venture to the basement and you'll find a surprisingly large and accomplished spa, centred on products and treatments by Natura Bissé, a Spanish brand that echoes Fairmont La Marina Rabat-Salé's commitment to sustainability.
An additional complex of 88 residences and a conference centre offering nine meeting rooms including a VIP majliss (Islamic gathering place), a massive ballroom as well as seven boardrooms means you never need leave.
A five-star tribute to Morocco’s majestic past and progressive future, the hotel aims to showcase “the Rabat-Salé area through a new perspective, capturing the life and soul of modern Morocco while highlighting its ancestral traditions”. 
In terms of design, this has been cleverly expressed. Buoying the standard trappings of a luxurious international brand is a design narrative rich in symbolism and allegory, as is Islamic tradition.
From frieze and relief work that replicates details from nearby landmark, the Hasan Tower (a 12th-century minaret) to a central fountain representative of the Bouregreg river connecting Rabat and Salé, there’s a story at every turn, if you care to interpret the signs.Even the shape of the Foster & Partners-designed building has meaning (an aerial view of the structure reveals an "H" that stands for hospitality).
Inside, a riff on the mash up of ancient/modern and local/international continues. Adorning the sides of lobby lounge and tearoom, La Verrière, are cabinets displaying Moroccan fine jewellery and heritage fashions alongside leather goods from Mont Blanc; artworks reimagine old masters with an African accent – think colourful headdresses and tribal textiles.
The hotel’s most impressive piece work also hangs here – 340 crystal albatross wings, shaped by hand, and suspended from the ceiling above the elegant, elongated central bar.
Here and throughout the hotel, you'll be well looked after. A predominantly local staff has been selected not necessarily for experience, but for passion – and it shows. Each team member I encountered was a true ambassador for the brand, striking a perfect balance between professionalism and charm.
A wander upstairs, scented by wafts of the hotel’s bespoke "Black Iconic" fragrance, reveals further artistry – Morocco’s craftspeople are renowned the world over and their skill is showcased to glorious effect in the suites.
Each bedroom features exquisite hand-made tiles and a contemporary take on traditional stonework, a riot of clashing prints and authentic Moroccan styles all brought together in restrained monochrome. Elsewhere, tech is intuitively embedded; tea and coffee facilities are provided and there’s a generous bathroom with a tub and shower.
What about food? Morocco’s French connection is celebrated at L'Ecume, a farm and ocean to table brasserie that spotlights local ingredients executed with classic cookery techniques. 
The turbot with silky mashed potatoes transports me to Paris in an instant, while a perfectly prepared sole meunière is the epitome of chic cuisine. Dessert triumphs too; check out the patisserie case for something indulgent – éclair, tarte meringuée – or go for the refreshing pineapple gazpacho and coconut sorbet. 
Feasting and feeding from the heart is central to Moroccan culture, and I challenge you to find a better representation in this area than Le Dahlia. More than a hotel restaurant, this space has been envisioned as a destination dining experience, offering a variety of north African dishes offset by Mediterranean influences, modern dressings and cooking techniques. 
Order all the mezzes and share mains – braised lamb with date purée, giant cous cous emblazoned with fillets of red mullet and chicken served with traditional flavours of olive and preserved lemon – you won’t be disappointed.
This fabulous fusion is echoed at Le Deck, where a rooftop pool, bar and restaurant serving Nikkei–influenced Asian awaits. From the generous terrace you can take in the estuary as well a mosque, a cathedral and a synagogue in one panorama, a snapshot that illustrates the unique beauty of this location as a gateway between countries and cultures. It’s a seductive spot for moody late-night cocktails that nails a glamorous, relaxed vibe.
While the Fairmont La Marina Rabat Salé is still working on a menu of experience-led initiatives – DIY workshops with the artisans of the Oulja, fishing trips aboard a luxury yacht and pedestrian tours through the maze of the old Medina – it can arrange guided souk tours, museum visits, authentic dining experiences in local riads and nights on the town in one of the city's myriad, hidden lounge bars.
There's so much more to enjoy about Rabat, from its tranquil attitude (by Moroccan standards at least) fabulous weather and dramatic coastline to its lush, green spaces and crisp-white architecture, so visit while the Fairmont is still fresh and make the most of having the city to yourself.
Featuring a state-of-the art kitesurfing school in collaboration with legendary surfer Robbie Naish, the Caravan Dakhla will open in January 2023, and will be the second of four Habitas properties set to open in Morocco over the coming years. (Caravan Agafay is just 45 minutes from downtown Marrakech and was unveiled in autumn 2022.)
Habitas is an expanding eco-hospitality group that has become known for building "flat-pack" modular hotels that are constructed off-site before being assembled in the vacation destination.
Caravan Dakhla is set on the shores of Morocco's Dakhla lagoon, which has become one of the world’s top kitesurfing, windsurfing and surfing destinations thanks to sapphire waters and consistent breezes.
According to the brand, Caravan Dakhla will be an "immersive experience focused on reconnecting with nature through the pursuit of adventure".
The property will also have a locally-inspired restaurant and bar, a swimming pool, yoga and wellness centre, outdoor cinema, barrel sauna, cold plunge pool and Habitas’s signature agora communal gathering spaces.
Most interesting will be the fact that Caravan Dakhla will have its own kitesurfing school that has been co-created with Robbie Naish. There will be a roster of highly experienced instructors, which will include a rotation of Naish-sponsored pro kite surfers, as well as activities for both wind and no-wind days for guests of all levels.
Mountain biking will also be available. Beyond phsyical adventure, guests will be able to experience local Sahrawi tea ceremonies and live music.
Accompanying the school will be a one-of-a-kind Surf Wellness Clinic geared towards kitesurfing, introducing guests to various unique sports-focused activities such as barrel sauna, cold plunges, XPT fitness training, primal flow movement and yoga, as well as other progressive treatments such as IV drips, massages and breathwork.
Caravan Dakhla features 24 rooms across three different room categories, from traditional Riad-style rooms to modern villas and lodges. Features include outdoor showers and outdoor decks.
Desert Riad rooms at Caravan Dakhla start from 1,650 MAD (£130) per person based on double occupancy including F&B and all taxes. Prices exclude kiteboarding lessons.
For every guest that stays at Caravan Dakhla, Habitas will donate US$10 to its RISE Fund - the brand’s impact initiative to support local communities, create jobs and give back to local environmental and social causes.
[dropcap size=big]J[/dropcap]ames Bond has always travelled, hopping from country to country destroying picturesque market places or ancient palaces. He has an uncanny way of getting half way around the world and back, all via some idyllic little Pacific Island, in under a day or so. Clearly he skips check-in.
But as we watch his exploits on the big screen we aren’t just watching it for the action and rippling biceps any longer, it seems more and more people are using the movies as their dream travel reference guide. As the buildings explode and the engines roar, we are sitting back in our chairs thinking, “I could go there”.
The release of Spectre late last month caused a surge in holiday searches and bookings for the destinations James Bond passes through on his rampage for revenge.
UK-based travel company sunshine.co.uk noticed the trend soon after the release of the movie and began investigating further, collecting data from October 26 to November 1.
Over the week there was a noticeable increase searches for holidays to Rome (up 89 per cent), after Bond – in his gleaming Aston Martin DB10 – took us on a high-speed car chase from the Vatican to the Colosseum and beyond. Bookings went up 52 per cent.
Six hundred members of film crew spent a month filming the scenes in Rome, where Bond discovers Spectre, and the Mayor of Rome actually allowed the crew to shut down the capital’s busiest roads to film the white-knuckle chase scene.
The North African landscapes of Morocco were found to be another of the top trenders – Sunshine witnessed an increase in searches of 91 per cent, while bookings to the country rose 42 per cent compared to the week before the UK release of the film. But is it really surprising?
Chris Clarkson, managing director of sunshine.co.uk, said: “Let's face it, who wouldn't want to holiday like 007? Spectre certainly sees Mr Bond cover a lot of miles around the globe; with scenes set in London, Austria, Rome, Morocco and Mexico City.
“Watching the action-packed film set against a background of amazing locations was always bound to give viewers itchy feet and turn their thoughts to where they're going to holiday next.”
Mexico City was another high-scorer. The film opens during the extravagant Day of the Dead festivities and scenes showcase some of the more magnificent areas of a city people don’t usually consider a holiday destination.
Thousands of skeleton-clad extras were involved in the epic set-pieces, the costumes of which apparently took six months to create and weeks to shoot. This portrayal resulted in a 69 per cent increase in holiday searches, and a 16 spike in bookings.
Clarkson said: "Often when big blockbusters hit the screens that feature desirable locations, we see spikes in searches or bookings for those places, but we really did see a very noticeable difference where Spectre was concerned.”
Sunshine also witnessed multiple searches for trips to Austria during the week of Spectre's release, although it didn’t actually offer any packages to this destination.
Travellers, though, would have likely been looking to visit Solden where the Ice Q restaurant was used as a location, perched 3,000 metres up on the summit of Gaislachkogl Mountain. On November 27 it will reopen for the ski season, and will for the first time be serving martinis (shaken, not stirred).
People are obviously susceptible to the travel itineraries of our on-screen heroes, and this seems to be a growing trend, but with the DVD release of The Martian coming soon, you have to wonder how far people should be willing to go.
By Jack Southan
