River Cruising, Europe and South America Hot in 2009

What's the travel buzz for the coming year? River cruising, travel to Europe and South America are just a few travel trends expected to gain popularity in 2009, according to a just-released study by Globus. The enthusiasm for river cruising is being fueled by those travelers who enjoy cruises but are looking for new and different experiences, according to the report. Globus' family brand, Avalon Waterways, for example, says that it had its best year ever to Egypt in 2008 and that trend is expected to continue into 2009. Meanwhile, the strengthening dollar and the availability of some good air deals is spurring pent-up demand for Europe. Globus says it is already seeing strong early interest in "classic" destinations like Britain, Ireland, France and Italy, as well as emerging locales in Eastern Europe. South America is also hot with consumers, thanks to its rich culture, accessibility, currency exchange rate and diverse food offerings, which have given the destination greater appeal.