More than any other celebrity, Harry Styles has been found to be the most inspirational public person when it comes to travel, new research has revealed.
The former One Direction crooner is joined in the top-ranking celeb wanderlust influencers by Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, and Justin Bieber – with the Canadian pop star featuring twice.
The list was put together by UK cruise agent, Bolsover Cruise Club, using research into the number of Google searches of popular travel destinations before and after celebrities have been photographed in them.
It showed that the Sign of the Times singer’s 2013 infamous jaunt to Necker Island, where he was snapped in a hot-tub with island owner and Virgin boss, Richard Branson, caused the biggest increase in people searching for that location, more than any other.
Like fellow singer Justin Bieber, Harry styles can also lay claim to being twice named in the top 10 thanks to his holiday last year to St Barts with Kendall Jenner, where the two were ‘papped’ embracing on a yacht.
Will and Kate’s visit to the Maldives in 2014 takes second spot in the rankings. The Indian Ocean islands actually account for three of the most celeb-affected locations in the top ten.
Whether it’s the crystal clear blue sea and white sand back-drop or the glorious beaches being indulged by half-naked celebrities, tropical islands are clearly what the public are most interested in when it comes to celeb holidays.
Mexico’s Tulum resort is the only location in the top ten that is not on an island. Yet even this popular celeb haunt is famous for its white beaches and Caribbean Sea.
There are some locations that are so popular and well-known that they’re immune to high profile celebrity visits, however. Mykonos is the best example of this, with not even the celebrity behemoth that is Kim Kardashian and her 100million plus social followers unable to affect the Greek island’s seasonal trend of Google searches.
Only Justin Bieber and his army of Beliebers could cause a significant increase in Ibiza searches. A feat that the Kardashians, Kanye West and Ed Sheeran all failed to replicate.
Michael Wilson, Managing Director of Bolsover Cruise Club, said: “There’s few better adverts for a travel destination than one of the world’s most famous people being snapped having a good time on the beach.
“Celebrities are famously paid handsomely to promote fashion brands, and it’s clear from our research that their influence extends to travel. The spikes in searches for places like Necker Island, Bora Bora and St Barts following well publicised visits by the stars show this.
“It’s interesting that there are eight men in the top ten rankings, particularly pop singers, suggesting perhaps that teenage girls are responsible for the upsurge.”
