Unpacked: Editor-in-Chief of Travel & Leisure Magazine, Jacqui Gifford on travel trends + hot destinations for next year

Hello and welcome to The Travel Diaries Unpacked, the show where we bring you the latest travel news, trends, inspiration and insider tips from some of the most knowledgeable people in the industry.

Today, I'm joined by someone who really does have her finger on the pulse of the travel world: Jacqui Gifford, Editor-in-Chief of Travel + Leisure, one of the world's most influential travel magazines.

Jacqui first joined me on The Travel Diaries back in 2020, and goodness, how much has changed since then! She's been in London for Travel + Leisure's inaugural international World's Best Summit, held at The Dorchester this week, bringing together some of the biggest names in hospitality and travel to explore the trends shaping the future of the industry.

And that's exactly what we're diving into today. From the rise of coolcations and the return of slow travel to multigenerational holidays, the impact of AI and what truly exceptional hotel service looks like. Jacqui also shares some of her most memorable recent trips, including a spectacular escape to Brazil, a very special journey aboard Britain's newest luxury sleeper train, and the London hotel that reminded her what great hospitality is really all about.

It's a fascinating conversation packed with travel inspiration and some genuinely brilliant insights into how and why we're travelling.

Destination recap

• London, England
• The Bahamas
• Albany, The Bahamas
• Rosewood Baha Mar, The Bahamas
• Alaska, USA
• India
• Rome, Italy
• Rome Cavalieri, Rome
• Britannic Explorer, A Belmond Train, England
• The Lake District, England
• Cornwall, England
• Wales
• Cartmel, The Lake District
• Brown’s Hotel, London
• Raffles London at The OWO
• Sweden
• Denmark
• Norway
• Iceland
• Vancouver, Canada
• British Columbia, Canada
• Stockholm, Sweden
• Toronto, Canada
• Muskoka, Canada
• Italy
• Greece
• Spain
• Portugal
• St. Moritz, Switzerland
• Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski, St. Moritz
• Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, St. Moritz
• Santa Catarina, Brazil
• Awasi Santa Catarina, Brazil
• São Paulo, Brazil
• Palácio Tangará, São Paulo
• San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
• Oaxaca, Mexico
• Mexico City, Mexico
• Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
• Tulum, Mexico
• Cartagena, Colombia
• Four Seasons Hotel Cartagena, Colombia
• Bermuda
• Hamilton, Bermuda