10:48 Sep 28, 2009 

22:32 Sep 27, 2009 

i found this really funny :-)

ORIGIN mid 16th cent. (in the sense [practicing legerdemain] ): from late Latin praestigiosus, from praestigiae ‘conjuring tricks.’ The current sense dates from the early 20th cent.

hey presto:

exclamation
a phrase announcing the successful completion of a trick, or suggesting that something has been done so easily that it seems to be magic : just one quick squeeze and presto! A stir fry in seconds.

i.e. it's all going to be HIGH standard, just jump on board... and you will enjoy yourselves...

22:15 Sep 27, 2009 

ooops, there isn't enough space to add a further comment to alejandro in my disagree, here is the complete comment:

'de prestigio' or prestigioso is very close to the english 'prestigious': smth having high status... it doesn't have to be luxurious or even comfortable!
that's why i stuck to 'high-class' and 'high- end'

21:56 Sep 27, 2009 

so, what stops you from posting your answer, david? i can't wait...

16:21 Sep 27, 2009 

I'm really not sure what the best term is, but can I throw another word into the mix? Premium - relating to or denoting a commodity of superior quality and therefore a higher price (Oxford). It seems to go quite well with luxury coaches.

13:56 Sep 27, 2009 

what do native speakers of english think of 'high-end tourism' then?

now that the vulgar and gauche word 'class' has been removed?

13:45 Sep 27, 2009 

Who would have thought that this question would bring out so many opinions. I agree, it is definitely tricky, especially since it´s for marketing materials and it´s very important to use the most adequate term that doesn´t imply any sort of negativity, while still being accurate and natural.

As I mentioned, the text is from a coach manufacturer and describes their most luxurious product (they also create simpler buses with fewer perks for shorter distances).

Just a little food-for-thought regarding the Spanish long-distance bus transport market. ALSA, one of the leading carriers, has recently launched a Supra and Supra+ service in an attempt to change the public´s perception of the industry in general and to create a new, more "upscale/luxury/upmarket" niche. Extra-wide leather seats, fewer passengers, wifi, free newspapers and magazines, catering, etc., but with prices at least 30% lower than the same route by train.

http://www.alsa.es/portal/site/Alsa/menuitem.09a5a4fc964b2a1...

I think that the best alternative lies between luxury, upscale or upmarket. Thoughts?

13:33 Sep 27, 2009 

i think you need to read all again and carefully...

13:31 Sep 27, 2009 

Alright, let me rephrase my question: would upmarket tourism include coach tours? I doubt it. Luxury tourism? Not sure, either. I said it was a tricky one.

And what have business and economy class - or indeed trout or the pronunciation of "sirgay - got to do with all this?

13:12 Sep 27, 2009 

David, it's all relative! Personally, I'd never conceive a coach tour as being luxurious either, but the term in question is specifically about tourism, not the coaches themselves - however "luxurious" these may be

12:56 Sep 27, 2009 

These terms are tricky, because they say something about the social status of the user. I would venture that "high class" and "quality" are generally used by people who aren't accustomed to or can't afford such things. An aristocrat like Nabokov would never use them himself, though he might make a character do so to denote their vulgarity or gaucheness.

Is a coach tour ever really upmarket? Luxury seems the best option here.