1. Travel is still a priority

Although inflation and economic problems are hitting everyone, global statistics show that this has not stopped anyone from traveling; So that according to the prediction of the Travel Foundation of the United States of America, the cost of travel will increase in 2023 compared to 2022.

This means, airlines will still see their flight capacity filled and popular tourist destinations will see a flood of people. Of course, this high demand may make it more difficult for travelers to find lower rates; But there will undoubtedly be ways to save on travel in 2023.

2. The demand for luxury travel will increase

For some people, the suspension of travel during the corona pandemic meant that the travel budget would increase once travel reopened. Studies also show that international travelers want to spend more on their trips and experience things like 5-star hotels, higher quality flights, and customized and personalized experiences.

For example, nearly half (49 percent) of Booking.com survey respondents are willing to spend more on their next trip to make up for lost time. Even another result of this survey shows that 43% of respondents are willing to do anything when it comes to travel expenses.

On the other hand, a study by Expedia, the online travel sales platform, shows that younger travelers like to spend more on their trips; So that 80% of the respondents to the Expedia study who were between the ages of 18 and 34 also want to pay more to improve their experience.

3. Travelers are making plans

During the Corona epidemic, despite the ever-changing travel rules and restrictions, travelers often waited until the last minute and then made their trip; But now the travel rules have reached a general consistency around the world and this has led travelers to plan their trip again.

The results of a study by Virtuoso, a leading global network for travel agencies, indicate that travelers on average plan to travel further afield in 2023 than in 2019 . In the same vein, a survey by American Express Travel, a travel booking platform, also shows that 50 percent of respondents have already thought about where they will travel in the summer of 2023. Also, an Expedia report on the growth of world tourism in the third quarter of 2022 shows that 55% of consumers are more comfortable making their reservations less than a month before their trip, and 64% are interested in booking services from 3 months in advance. Book your trip.

4. Work increases during travel

In recent years, the trend of working in travel as well as digital migiration or digital nomadism has been very popular. A digital nomad is someone who makes a living remotely using digital tools and the internet. Research by travel technology company Amadeus also shows that people like to work under flexible conditions that allow them to spend more days, sometimes months, traveling.

But for some, these trends are a bit extreme; For this reason, it seems that in 2023, “Hush Trips” have a lot of potential to grow and become one of the newest travel trends in 2023. But what is meant by secret trips? Secret trips mean that the telecommuter travels to a new destination for a limited period of time, such as one or two weeks, without telling his employer. 

The increase in this trend has caused businesses and tourist destinations to change their approach; For example, tourist accommodations offer discounts for long-term stays, or many countries have turned to offering digital nomad visas.

5. Travelers are looking for new experiences

The view that travel was only meant for rest and relaxation is changing. According to a survey by online travel agency GetYourGuide, almost all travelers want to spend at least part of their trip doing new or unique activities. In fact, 90 percent of respondents to this survey want to experience a destination like the locals do, and two-thirds of millennial respondents (those born in the 1980s to late 1990s) are concerned about whether the experience they’re getting is authentic. is it or not

Expedia studies also show that in the coming year, travelers will seek to spend more time with their loved ones and discover new places and gain new experiences. Even data from Vrbo, a vacation rental booking platform, shows that the demand for unconventional destinations in the United States will increase by more than 30% in 2022, and this trend is expected to increase further next year.

6. Responsible and environmentally friendly trips are increasing

In addition to wanting to behave like the locals in a destination, travelers also place more emphasis on responsible travel . When the gap between tourists and residents is bridged and human connections are formed, the effects of tourists in a destination become more apparent. A survey by Virtuoso shows that customers want to benefit locals from their trips . Vrbo research also suggests that in 2023, people will consider traveling to rural farms, national parks, remote areas and the great outdoors.

Eco-friendly travel, which has gained a lot of attention in recent years, is equally important to some travelers. In the same Virtuoso survey, 70% of respondents also believed that sustainable travel improves their experience. On the other hand, YouGov’s online analytics and information technology group research shows that 44% of consumers try to buy from companies that care about social and environmental issues. 

7. Travelers will be interested in cultural experiences

According to Expedia surveys, travelers’ interest in traveling to cultural destinations is increasing; For example, cities such as Edinburgh in Scotland and Lisbon in Portugal, which offer many cultural experiences, are among the top destinations in 2023. For this reason, in order to increase the number of visitors, many tourist destinations can organize destination marketing campaigns in 2023 that focus on cultural heritage, indigenous cultures, traditional events and historical places.

8. TV series and movies are influential in choosing a destination

TV series and movies are powerful tools in destination marketing. For example, places like Croatia and New Zealand have seen a dramatic increase in visitors since they were featured on popular TV shows. In addition, holding tourism campaigns and producing effective and high-quality videos also encourages travelers to travel to the introduced destinations.

According to Expedia’s research, two-thirds of travelers in the world consider the displayed destination for their future trips after watching a movie or series; Also, 39% of them have booked a trip to that destination after watching movies and series.

9. Travelers are looking for health-oriented activities

According to research by Hotels.com, a hotel booking platform, the demand for health-oriented travel experiences has increased by more than 30% in 2022 compared to last year . Also, almost half (46%) of global travelers care more about health and wellness experiences than ever before. According to the research of this platform, in 2023, travelers will look for unconventional health-oriented activities such as silotherapy (stress treatment through trees by creating visual and physical contact), chakra sessions, food and drink camps, yoga, laughter therapy, etc.

10. Metaverse becomes a destination marketing tool

One of the words heard around the world in 2022 was Metaverse . According to Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, Metaverse is a collection of virtual spaces in which people who are not in a physical space can be brought together and communicate between them. But how can the tourism industry use this space to increase the experience of travelers? 

According to Amadeus reviews, Metaverse can be used as a “ try before you buy ” platform in tourism; Something similar to virtual reality, but more attractive and interactive for passengers. Of course, some destinations have entered this field so far and it is predicted that in 2023, this technology will be more and more noticed in the marketing of tourist destinations.

11. Biometric payment methods will become more popular

Biometric payment technology uses biometric authentication based on physical characteristics to identify the user and debit the bank account; For example, fingerprint payment is the most common biometric payment method.

This technology is currently used by retailers and some travel companies through platforms such as ApplePay and GooglePay; But Amadeus predicts that by 2023, biometric payments will be used in more parts of the travel industry. According to Amadeus, travelers around the world will use convenient and secure biometric services, from paying for train and plane tickets to selecting in-flight meals or paying late at a hotel.

12. Bleisure trips are becoming popular

Bleisure trip, which is formed from the combination of two words Business meaning ” business ” and Leisure meaning ” entertainment “, means the combination of leisure and business travel; The trip that Amadeus Company believes will become an important trend in tourism in 2023. 

Although remote work and work on the go will be one of the trends of 2023, this trend will often hinder the connection and communication of teams and colleagues; In its report, Amadeus stated that in order to face this challenge, in 2023, many companies plan trips with the aim of strengthening team relations.  

In 2022, tourism was still associated with some challenges and uncertainty on the part of travelers; This year travelers learned how to cope with closed borders and travel restrictions and often changed their travel plans accordingly. In 2023, however, the concern of the Corona epidemic will become less and less; Now other travelers are more ready to travel and will resume their trips with different priorities and demand