Cape Town is typically amongst the favourite long-haul holiday choices and this year is no exception. The Mother City comes in at fifth in the top eight behind Lima, Kuala Lumpur, San Jose (Costa Rica), Rio de Janeiro and ahead of San José (California), Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) and Tampa.
"It's certainly possible that Cape Town could overtake some of the other destinations during 2016. It has a number of advantages. It's established, it appeals to everyone from thrill seekers to wine aficionados, it has fantastic hotels and infrastructure, an abundance of natural beauty and offers incredible value for money," says Edward Frost, British Airways' commercial manager for South and East Africa.
Amongst the other leading leisure spots, Lima secured its place thanks to the increasing number of travellers keen to walk the world-famous Inca Trail and see the majesty of Machu Picchu.
San Jose, Costa Rica owes third place to its incredible wildlife, with adventurers of all ages keen to explore its rain forests and stunning beaches. Rio, much like Cape Town did after 2010, is still benefiting from the international exposure it enjoyed during the 2014 World Cup. Of course, the much anticipated 2016 Olympics will also increase its popularity. Outside of South America, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia owes second spot to the bleisure travel trend, with business travellers opting to extend their stays to enjoy some leisure time. Its business-friendly reputation, rainforests and beautiful beaches combine to make it the 'pearl of the Orient'.
British Airways' experts are betting that San José, California will quickly make up the numbers when it starts daily flights with its 787-9 Dreamliner to the capital of Silicon Valley. As well as being the world's software powerhouse and home to tech giants Apple, eBay and Google it is the gateway to Carmel and Monterey and provides easy access to the Yosemite National Park.
Punta Cana, with its abundance of resorts and palm-lined beaches is going to be hard to beat as a value-for-money Caribbean island getaway. Tampa is a perennial favourite. The warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, extensive beaches and sultry climate make it a must-visit destination for families wanting a relaxing break in the sun.
