VAMPIRES, wizards and football will determine the biggest travel hotspots for 2010, according to a new travel industry report.
It predicts South Africa will be a top choice for sports lovers wanting an once-in-a-lifetime trip to the World Cup in June.
Fans of the Twilight books and films will continue to flock to Forks in Washington State in the US, where the story is set, following a 1000 per cent rise in visitor numbers this year.
The US will be a popular destination overall thanks to favourable exchange rates and the “Obamaboom”, according to the 2010 ABTA Travel Trends report.
The opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park in Orlando, Florida will be a big drawcard while the TV show Jamie Oliver’s American Road Trip may lead to a rise in ranch-based holidays.
New York has seen the greatest amount of hotel development in the past decade and 2010 will see an increase of 5500 additional rooms, the report said.
The trend towards more adventurous destinations will continue, with forecasts that pent up wanderlust for areas emerging from troubled times could see places like Sri Lanka becoming popular.
Even Iraq is promoting itself as a future holiday destination for 2010.
“Chadventures” – which combine adventure and raising money for charity and “voluntourism” will also gain in popularity over the coming year.
Bargain hunters will head to Dubai, after the collapse of state-backed Dubai World sparked a financial crisis and triggered a price war in hotel room rates, with many travellers also attracted by the January opening of the world’s tallest tower there.
Egypt, Turkey and Morocco are also predicted to be strong destinations for 2010 as investment in luxury hotels and infrastructure, such as more efficient airports, attract holidaymakers looking for high standards at lower costs.
Cruises also look set to increase their record passenger numbers of 2009.
The report by the British travel association, which represents more than 5000 travel agencies and operators, also said Germany could increase in popularity because a tax on hotel stays is due to fall from 19 per cent to seven per cent in January.
