Tourism is and has been a vital economic activity in most countries around the world. By 2028, it’s projected to reach $2.4 trillion and most of that will be driven by millennials (usually described as people born between 1980 and 2000). This generation has been playing an important role in shifting paradigms in all industries and travel and tourism is no stranger to this. Recommended Room, a new concept of online traveling website covering as many as 80 cities (and growing!) from around the world.Travel tips on some of the latest travel trends.These will be useful when planning your upcoming trip.Take a look at this list of tips.
More and more people are after sustainable, memorable experiences that are convenient to find and book, and at the same time, offer them good value for money.
Travel looks more different today than ever before and some of these learning are useful when planning upcoming vacations and equally, help travel providers understand what they need to change to stay abreast and continue to meet the needs of travelers.
The Latest Travel Trends
Experiences over luxury, unconventional over basic
Probably one of the biggest shifts the industry is witnessing is the move from fancy resorts and hotels to experiences and unconventional accommodations. A trend that is quite prominent across all generations and demographics.
Gone are the days when a rich buffet, a pool bar, a private beach and proximity to shopping centers were the mainstay of a great holiday. Travelers are now increasingly hungry to experience cultures and living like a local. A study has shown that as many as 67% of travelers would rather spend their holiday budget on authentic experiences rather than things such as a nice hotel.
Wellness traveling is also gaining territory. With as many as 30% of travelers have said that mindfulness and well-being activities such as yoga classes, as well as access to a gym, are the main things they look after before booking a place.
While historical tours remain an important preference, travelers also seem to lean more towards unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Millennials specifically are now planning their holidays around festivals, local events and all sorts of conferences. Bespoke is the word.
Solo traveling is at an all-time high
While in the past the family or group vacation was the norm, we are now seeing a change in people going on holidays on their own. It is predicted that in 2020 the number of solo travelers will soar. Very much in line with the previous trend, people are seeking the unexplored and the unexpected.
One research has revealed that 30% of high-earning travelers are now traveling alone for ‘me time’ and to recharge their batteries. Another recent report has shown a boost of 42% in solo traveler bookings over the past two years. With more connectivity and flexibility than ever before, solo traveling is no longer perceived as dangerous or difficult.
Online travel platforms remain king
Moving from bookings made via tourism agencies and travel agents, travel platforms are becoming the go-to when it comes to planning a holiday. This is especially convenient for those last-minute weekend getaways or when someone decides at the moment now is the time for a vacation.
Additionally, almost half (48%)of American Smartphone users have stated that they are completely comfortable with conducting research, planning and booking their whole trip to a new place using only a mobile device. This is consistent with another finding saying that back in 2018, an ever-growing 82% of all travel bookings were conducted through a website or mobile app.
Another important and new trend relates to personalization. Consumers are expecting from their online platforms to provide them with suggestions that are tailored to their specific needs and preferences or based on past bookings. In fact, 36% of them said they would be more likely to pay more for such a service.
Overall, 84% of travelers are booking their holidays and trips through bundling sites. And here it’s important to note a shift as well. While long-standing, big players such as Trivago or Expedia are maintaining their status are the leading ones, several up and coming platforms are promising a change in which sources are being used. A good example here is the Recommended Room.
The way the platform works is by connecting 4 and 5-star customer reviews with those from top trusted sources such as CNN Travel, The Guardian or The New York Times. The concept enables travelers to have a bird’s-eye view on the best options according to search criteria.
Destinations, where to? Europe!
While long-haul holidays are also on the rise, the majority of travelers seem keen to explore Europe. Whether it’s ‘bite-sized’ trips or visiting each country, Europe seems to be the value-for-money break that every traveler is after.
Spain is specifically one of the countries who has experienced a boom in tourism in the past couple of years following a stagnation period. Equally, Turkey is making a comeback with an increase of over 30% during the first 8 months of 2019. Also recording a positive outlook are countries such as Sweden, Russia, Italy, Germany or Austria.
Other popular destinations include North America which has seen a 3% increase in the past year, and Asia-Pacific with over 8% more visitors and a very positive outlook for 2020 as well.
It is evident that travel and tourism are undergoing massive change at the moment and there is a need for providers to adapt to demand and expectations. These are just some of the trends observed in 2019 with many expected to evolve in 2020 and beyond.
