As we get close to entering a new decade, travel as we know it continues to evolve. 2020 will be a year exploration with travelers looking to connect with the people and places they visit. Technology is also impacting travel decisions like never before and it’s even created a new category of travel called Insta – Tourism! Here are a few key travel trends to look out for in 2020.
Second City Travel
This trend has travelers opting to bypass major cities in favor of visiting lesser-known ones nearby. It’s picking up speed due to the fact that it’s more budget-friendly, less crowded and typically more culturally rich. Consider second city travel if you’re interested in the kind of travel that subverts the expected and leaves room for experiences that locals would actually take part in.
Local Underground Supper Clubs
Popping up around the world, these intimate culinary experiences give travelers the ability to experience food as the locals do. The event consists of a ‘pop up dinner’ in a new location, with new people, trying new foods. These culinary experiences are usually in someone’s home with a mystery chef and mystery menu.
Slo-Mo is the new #FOMO
Taking it slow is what 2020 is all about; thus being left behind is the fear of missing out (FOMO) which can typically cause us to speed through as many attractions as possible. A shift towards taking slower modes of transportation to reduce their environmental impact is becoming more prevalent as is the fact that more and more travelers are opting to take the longer route so they can experience more of the journey itself.
Insta-Tourism
Instagram has more than 500 million active users daily sharing an average of 85 million photos a day. With these numbers, its no surprise that this social platform is impacting travel is a big way! Travelers are looking for the next ‘Instagrammable’ moment and their trips are being widely influenced by this goal. Being able to see real people travel and take real photos while on one of their vacations seem to be the preferred source for trip planning compared to sales pitches and brochures. It’s safe to say that ‘Instagrammability’ is one of the top factors in selecting a vacation destination nowadays.
Environmental Travel
This term can vary in meaning depending on who you speak to. Everything from sustainable travel methods, to natural habitat vacations to volunteer vacations – green travel trends are all on the rise. Eco-friendly travel methods and/or trips themed off of eco-friendly choices continue to carve out their place in mainstream travel.
Ancestral Tourism
There has always been a draw for visiting ancestry destinations. Ancestral Tourism aka ‘DNA Trips’ is on the rise with companies such as 23andMe and Ancestry leading the way with these DNA-based travel opportunities. These companies offer DNA kits that allow you to get a visual breakdown of where your ancestors originated from and it’s these services that are driving this category!
Pet-Friendly Travel
More and more pet owners are choosing holiday destinations based on whether they can take their pets, and most are even willing to pay more to stay in pet-friendly accommodations. Systemic of this trend is the fact that pet-friendly options are on the rise and accommodations around the world continue to look for innovative ways to cater to our four-legged children. Dog day beds, pet spas, dedicated room service menus, and specially designed pet restaurants are letting animals have a five-star experience!
There you have it, 7 travel trends to look out for in 2020. Interested in trying out one of them? Contact us today!