By Paul Johnson

When it comes to luxury, private villa holidays are difficult to beat. Imagine yourself lounging by the fountain in the courtyard of your Marrakesh riad… or skiing directly into your chalet in the Alps.

Though the global economy remains in a tumultuous state, luxury travel seems to have escaped the brunt of the beating, and things are still looking rosy for 2012. Villa holidays appeal to more than simply the luxury crowd, as sometimes a self-catered holiday home can be a better value for groups than an all-inclusive hotel. What lies ahead for the villa rental industry?

For 2012, we predict that Europe will remain the most popular place for villa rental, though the number of properties and interest in Asia will continue to grow. The desire for unique itineraries will lead... More...