Travel Trends
The year 2023 could well be considered as the year travel goes ‘back to normal.’ Travellers are remembering all the things they love about exploring the world while also considering how their travel habits impact that world. Through this, certain existing trends have accelerated, and new ones have emerged. All of us have had to transform how we live our lives, in efforts to manage the outbreak and keep each other safe. With these changes and restrictions, consumer travel habits have had to shift and will continue to evolve. In a world where travel restrictions can change overnight and where substantial restrictions are often implemented to maintain public health, consumers are even more concerned about the cost implications of changing travel plans and what kind of health and hygiene protocols they could encounter during their travels. From domestic travel leading the recovery and younger generations being the first to travel, to increased demand for longer stays, fee-free cancellations, and enhanced health & hygiene measures, consumers have made their preferences clear, through bookings, enquiries, and surveys and the sector is responding.
It is clear the choices consumers are making about how to live their lives are impacting how they choose to travel. Some of these changes will prevail in the short to medium term, as COVID-19 management policies continue to dictate how most of the world travels, while other changes may transform travel and tourism in the longer term.
Global Travel Trends for the year ahead
- Domestic Rediscovery – As travel demand continues to rise, consumers are turning to domestic destinations and activities. In a survey by Trip.com, about half of global travellers’ plan to travel for a domestic holiday in the next 12 months. People will mostly try to explore the hidden gems within the country’s borders, go for secluded mountain side retreats or spend a few days soaking in the freshness of the wide-open spaces.
- Bucket List Travel – With airlines returning to normal and more countries relaxing their travel restrictions, 2023 is tipped to be the year that travellers finally embark on the trips they’ve spent the last three years dreaming about.
- Sustainable Travel – Another travel trend is travellers who are becoming increasingly aware of the need to travel responsibly. Young people are loyal to brands that share their values and that are committed to reducing their carbon footprint.
- Off-the-Grid Vacations – With the constant onslaught of communication through email, social media, and the like, we could all use a little time to unplug. That’s why one of the biggest travel trends of 2023 will be off-the-grid vacations. Whether flying to a phone-free wellness retreat or enjoying the serenity of nature for a camping or glamping weekend, spending distraction-free time with loved ones will be a high priority for many travellers in 2023.
- Off-the-Beaten Path Destinations – In 2023, travellers will also be looking to experience destinations that are entirely new to them and in many cases, new to most. While travellers always have a place in their hearts for the most popular travel destinations, they are looking to expand their horizons and consider lesser-known destinations with under-the-radar charm.
- Family and Multigenerational Travel – After the mayhem of travel over the past three years, travellers are still looking to make up for lost time when it comes to travel and visits with loved ones. Family reunion trips and multigenerational getaways are excepted so see an increase in 2023, with extended families finally making time to meet up with one another and make memories to last a lifetime.
- Travel Affected by Remote Working – Five days a week in the office seems like a relic of a past life to many travellers, and the remote working trend looks set to continue into 2023 and beyond. The added flexibility is great for travellers, but also for the tourism industry. Rax Seun, Founder of Nomads Unveiled, stated that ‘the combination of travel and remote work will continue to proliferate in the travel space. There will be more businesses (or modifications in businesses) catering towards this group, such as co-living spaces, hostels/hotels with better co-working facilities and experience retreats that combine business and travel experiences.’
Global Travel Trends Pre and Post COVID-19
