FLASH
Shkruar nga Hannah Seligson
As the world descends into chaos, the wealthy have an urgent concern: Where can they vacation now?
“Mexico is too dangerous and Europe too anti-Semitic,” a friend wrote to me as we discussed, by process of elimination, where we might vacation in the coming months. A few days later, I overheard two women at a fitness studio on the Upper East Side asking whether they should avoid Greece, a common stop on the wealthy elite’s seasonal itinerary, because of the missiles fired at Cyprus in March. (Mykonos is about 480 miles from Nicosia.)
From the war with Iran, which is currently in a fragile ceasefire, to the uncertain situation in the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world's oil and liquefied gas passes and which has forced European airlines to cut routes, it is no wonder that the current geopolitical situation is creating a strong sense of anxiety.
However, what many people outside the circle of the very wealthy may not realize is that those who are accustomed to traveling freely around the world are experiencing this fear in a very specific way: worrying about how they will spend their vacations at the height of the summer season, while many parts of the world face bombings and mass population displacements.
Some were stranded in the Gulf region after airspace was closed at the start of the war. Others were unable to leave the Caribbean in January, immediately after the US attack on Venezuela. Now, months later, uncertainty is greater than ever, and the fear of being stranded is changing the map of destinations where the wealthy are willing to travel.
According to Exclusive Resorts, a booking platform for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, the top five most booked destinations for this summer are within the US; in 2025, two of the top destinations were abroad.
Stuart McNeill, head of Knightsbridge Circle, a global luxury lifestyle management company, says he is not seeing panic about specific destinations, but a general sense of uncertainty and unpredictability. He says his clients, many of whom have third or fourth homes, are not necessarily saying they feel unsafe in Europe or the Middle East, but have lost confidence in travel systems, airlines, infrastructure and ease of movement. One client even gave up tickets to Wimbledon because he felt uneasy about the airport experience and security checks.
Meanwhile, Dr. Melissa Doft, a plastic surgeon on Park Avenue, doesn't want to give up her traditional vacations at the Il San Pietro hotel. However, she says she's looking to travel to places she considers safe from terrorist attacks and friendly to America. Her summer itinerary includes Australia, New Zealand and Bali, while she plans to stay in more secluded areas away from crowded cities.
If there is one philosophy that unites the wealthy elite, it is control at all costs. In normal times, money can provide some protection from the uncertainties of the world. But that is less true in an era dominated by constant war.
However, there are alternatives for those willing to pay more for certain itineraries. Over spring break, Dr. Doft and her family traveled to Thailand, deliberately choosing an Asian airline to avoid stops in the Middle East, a strategy they plan to follow this summer.
Similarly, art collector Tianyue Jiang says she will avoid connecting flights and use larger airlines to reduce the risk of cancellations, while for movements between cities and islands she will use trains and ships.
Although travel costs are rising due to fuel prices, industry experts believe that this will not stop ultra-wealthy customers. Matt Butler, a travel consultant for luxury vacations, says that this year customers are analyzing costs and risks more.
"Between expensive flights, $2,000-a-night hotels and extreme temperatures in the Mediterranean, customers are wondering if it's worth it. And when you add anxiety about global politics, destinations like Nantucket, Hawaii or Jackson Hole seem very attractive alternatives ," he says.
For this reason, many wealthy Americans are choosing domestic destinations. Luxury hotels in Florida and Utah are reporting increased bookings even during months that are usually considered low season.
However, traditional European destinations like Ibiza, Capri, Santorini, Positano and Saint-Tropez are expected to remain packed with American tourists this summer. On the Amalfi Coast, some hotel rooms are costing up to $6,000 a night.
Meanwhile, Albania is increasingly emerging as a destination for the global elite . According to private aviation company VistaJet, interest in private flights to Albania has increased by 211% this year. Albania is mentioned as a favorite destination of former New York Mayor Eric Adams and as the place where a luxury resort backed by Jared Kushner's company is expected to be built.
Despite global tensions, tourism expert Anant Sharma believes the wealthy will not stop traveling.
"The rich don't worry about a surcharge on the price of a business class ticket. Above all, they seek escape from reality," he said./ Adapted from "Pamphlet", from "VanityFair"
mos i qani hallin ku do i bejne pushimet laro e balo por qani hallet e shtepise qe po na shembet catia mbi koke.