Travel Trends are largely driven by what customers want from their travel experience. This can include a focus on hygiene and safety, contactless payments, or an eco-friendly approach to their holiday, for example. It can also be about location or the cultural experiences available to them.

Nature-based tourism is one of the fastest growing trends and will account for 57% of all travel packages worldwide in 2023, with the appeal of rural and beach locations growing as an antidote to urbanisation. It is an increasingly popular choice with millennials, as they are more likely to be concerned about the environmental impact of their trip and want to know that the destination they visit has been developed sustainably.

Social media has been a big influencer in travel for some time now, with hotels and other tourism businesses focusing on how they can make their properties Instagram-friendly to boost traffic. They can also hire influencers to post stunning photos and bird’s-eye view selfies.

The rise of the drone is another hot topic for hotels to watch out for this year. Consumers are bringing these machines to hotels in order to capture stunning photographs and bird’s-eye view selfies, and are keen to share them on social media. This trend is particularly suited to resorts and other high-end locations, where visitors are looking for unique and exciting experiences that will attract the attention of their followers.

Personalisation is the next big thing in tourism and it has already started to have an impact on customer service. For example, personalised menus at restaurants are proving popular and hotel staff are becoming more bespoke by using AI to create unique travel recommendations.

Local experience is the next hot trend, with travellers wanting to immerse themselves in the culture of the destinations they visit. This can mean consuming local food, celebrating regional festivals or taking part in traditional games and cultural activities.

The rise of organic food is also a key issue for tourists today. This is because more and more people are seeking out food that is fresh, healthy and delicious, compared to their usual diet.

Bleisure travel is also a growing tourism trend and it involves traveling on business for a week or two while incorporating leisure into their trips. It is a great way to connect with customers and build brand loyalty, but it can also be a good opportunity for businesses to boost revenue by offering additional services, such as guided tours or luxury accommodation options.

Sustainability is a big concern for millennials and Generation Z, with three in four saying they are very or extremely concerned about the carbon footprint of their trip. This is an area that can be addressed through simple changes, such as reducing the amount of energy used for heating or cooling hotels and using renewable energies when possible.

Millennials and Gen Z are also more likely to take fewer vacation days than older travelers, and they are more likely to work while on holiday too. This is another area where travel businesses can help to re-engage these groups by providing more flexibility and making sure they are able to disconnect and enjoy themselves fully.

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