As countries start to relax their Covid-19 restrictions and young
people continue to prioritise travel, youth may very well be the fuel
that propels travel to return to normal in 2023. From the research
conducted by Contiki, the following are the top 11 travel trends to look
out for in the coming year.
1. Bucket list travel
With the return of normal air services and relaxed travel
restrictions, 2023 is expected to be the year that travellers finally
take the trips they've been dreaming of for the past three years, afraid
that the rug may get swept out under them anytime.
2. Sustainable travel
Travellers are becoming more aware of the need to travel responsibly,
with young people being more loyal to brands that share their values
and are committed to reducing their carbon footprint. This is also
linked to the rise in plant-based living, as consumers become more
conscious of the impact of animal agriculture on the environment.
3. Young people are travelling more
Travellers aged 18 to 34 averaged 2.2 more international trips and
1.3 more domestic trips than those aged 65 and over in the past year.
This trend is expected to continue in 2023, with the older demographic
playing catch-up.
Young people were arguably the quickest to recover. We expect this trend to continue into 2023, albeit the older demo will play a strong catchup game.– Adam Armstrong
4. Long trips are in
Pre-pandemic, long trips were declining in popularity, but in 2023,
they are soaring due to the global cost-of-living crisis and increased
flight prices. The average length of a trip has increased from around 10
days to two weeks.
5. Multi-country trips are making a comeback
With easier border crossing, multi-country trips, where travellers
visit 8-9 countries in two weeks, are becoming more popular again.
6. Social travel is becoming more popular
The lack of social gatherings and events in the past 2-3 years has
affected young people, leading to an increased hunger for human
connection. This is reflected in a 10% increase in multiple bookings,
rather than solo bookings, and a surge in bookings for 6-bed hostel
dorms.
7. Travel inspired by music and TV
According to Expedia, two-thirds of global travellers have considered
visiting a destination inspired by a movie or TV show. Young travellers
are also drawn to grassroots music scenes, offering the chance to
discover new artists.
8. Local experiences
With the rise of sustainability and a hunger for human connection,
culturally immersive local experiences continue to grow in popularity.
In a survey by Hilton, 49% of respondents said they were looking to
undertake such experiences while travelling in 2023.
9. Planning ahead
With travel becoming more expensive, travellers are expected to plan
their trips in advance and be more careful with their spending. Budget
accommodations are also set to become more popular.
10. Musical pilgrimages
During the pandemic, TV and headphones were the only escape for many
people. As a result, destinations inspired by music and TV are becoming
more popular, with Israel being one example with its underrated music
scene.
11. Plant-based living
Consumers are becoming more concerned about the impact of animal
agriculture on the environment and are therefore turning to plant-based
living. This trend is expected to continue in 2023 and beyond.