Reservations for Italy’s recent “La Dolce Vita Orient Express” train will open on Tuesday.
Luxury train enthusiasts will want to maintain the present rate now before it increases.
Starting rates for a one-night journey on the luxurious train have increased from 2,000 euros ($2,168) per person in December 2022 to 2,500 euros per person in November 2023. Both rates were set in the course of the pre-sale booking period, which required a refundable deposit.
But starting rates have now gone up 3,500 euros per person per night, based on a press release issued in March.
That’s a staggering 75% price increase over a 16-month period.
According to Accor, the French multinational hospitality company that operates the train, the train is anticipated to start out operating in spring 2025.
What’s happening?
Accor did circuitously reply to CNBC’s query in regards to the reason for the steep price increase.
The representative said: “Prices vary depending on occupancy, season, route and cabin type.”
But again the train will not be running yet.
Luxury cabin rates on Accor’s La Dolce Vita Orient Express have increased by 75% from the top of 2022.
Courtesy of Accor
Ticket prices are still lower than one other train with the “Orient Express” moniker in Europe, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Nightly rates on this train, operated by LVMH’s Belmond, start at £7,060 ($8,925) per passenger, based on a review on its website.
Dave Goodger, managing director for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company, said rising prices were driven by consumers’ continued willingness to pay premiums for luxury experiences. However, he added that this might be not the one reason.
Lounge in the brand new La Dolce Vita Accor train.
Courtesy of Accor
“The demand for luxury travel is reflected in some continued price increases,” he said. “However, price increases are not speculative and are broadly in line with rising costs, including higher staff costs, as well as increased debt service requirements.”
Goodger called the La Dolce Vita train’s fare increase “out of the norm,” but additionally noted that it reflects the unique service it provides.
“La Dolce Vita” trains.
Accor’s La Dolce Vita Orient Express train will likely be launched nine routes through Italycomprising a coastal voyage from Palermo to Rome and one other from Rome to the Tuscan commune of Montalcino.
The train “La Dolce Vita” – which suggests “the sweet life” – refers back to the era of Italian splendor captured in Federico Fellini’s famous 1960 film of the identical name. The film is probably best remembered for a scene featuring this actor Anita Ekberg having fun on the Trevi Fountainact which could also be tourists severely punished for replication.
Reservations for the train may be made by phone from April 2 and via the train website from April 24.
Accor plans to launch one other train – dubbed the “Orient Express” – using restored Nineteenth-century carriages that were once a part of the historic Nostalgie-Istanbul-Orient-Express train.
The train will serve various routes across Europe, including the long-lasting Paris-Istanbul route.
The train, which was originally scheduled to launch this yr, is anticipated to start service in 2026.
