According to booking.com, from new technology frontiers to walking your way to wellness and big bucket list expeditions, here are the biggest travel trends for 2018.
1) New Tech Frontiers
Immersive experiences will reach the next level in 2018, with travelers looking to technology to help better understand a destination or accommodation before they book. Artificial intelligence and digital technology are helping consumers turn the corner when it comes to smart destination intuition, reshaping the way we research, book and experience travel.
These are the ways global travelers prefer to plan a trip
1. Letting a computer plan an upcoming trip based on data from their previous travel history
2. Dealing with a real person or computer as long as all questions are answered
3. Trying before they buy, with a virtual reality preview
4. Personalized suggestions for destinations and things to do
Taking all the hard work and stress out of decision making, in 2018 technology will continue to guide us seamlessly to find the best stays and experiences for us.
2) From Dream to Reality
2018 is the year to dream big as travelers have a travel bucket list in mind and the majority will aim to tick one or more destinations off their list in the coming year. The yearning for experiences over material possessions continues and drives our desire for more incredible and memorable trips. With dwindling patience, instantaneous appetites and empowered by technology, travelers in 2018 will seize the moment like never before.
Most likely to feature on a bucket list
1. One of the wonders of the world
2. Trying a local delicacy
3. Head to an island paradise
4. Visit a world-famous theme park
5. Experiencing a unique cultural event
6. Learning a new skill
7. Going on an epic road or rail journey
8. Visiting a remote or challenging location
3) Retro reboot
As well as new experiences, travelers will be revisiting their favorite childhood memories as part of their trips in 2018. Blending the future with the past, next year’s travelers will be inspired to return to previously loved destinations and explore them in a whole new way. A third of travelers will consider a holiday they experienced as a child for 2018.
This popularity for vintage vacations stems from the feelings of nostalgia and happiness the destinations evoke. Travelers say that former family holidays recall the fondest memories, even more so than childhood sweethearts or family pets. Millennials 18 to 34-year-olds, look set to be even more sentimental and keen to hark back to favorite family destinations. With 60% of travelers in 2018 intending to post on social media each day, we can expect to see these nostalgic places brought back to the future and captured for social posterity.
4) Pop culture pilgrimage
With the world at our fingertips, we rely on many sources to inspire us to travel to new destinations. In 2018, television shows, films, sport, and social media, in particular, look set to have an increasingly significant sway overbooking decisions, as travelers turn to pop culture for their travel inspiration.
Travel inspirations
1. Reading blogs or watching YouTuber recommendations
2. On-screen locations from television, film or music videos
3. Traveling for a major sporting event
5) Walk your way to wellness
The trend for wellness getaways isn’t slowing down for 2018, with almost double the amount of people planning to take health and wellbeing trips in 2018 compared to 2017.
Health and wellness inspired activities high on the travel agenda in 2018
1. Visiting a spa or receiving beauty treatments
2. Cycling & running
3. Water sport activities
4. Taking a full body detox holiday
5. Going on a yoga retreat
6. Undertaking meditation/mindfulness
Partaking in a health and wellness trip may also be good for the mind. Going on a holiday is a moment to reflect and make better lifestyle choices – something which can be easily facilitated through a health and wellness trip.
6) Economic intuition
Every year, travelers are becoming savvier, especially when it comes to getting the most for their money. With significant numbers basing their traveling decisions on finance-related matters, 2018 will see travelers looking to be even more economically intuitive.
The consideration when planning a trip for the year
1. Currency exchange rates
2. The economic climate of a destination
3. Plan to make more purchases from airport duty-free shops
4. Buy goods such as fashion items because they are cheaper than in their home country.
7) The great mate escape
2018 is gearing up to be all about the group get-away. When asked who their 2018 traveling companions were likely to be, the segment with the biggest increase when compared to 2017, was traveling with a group of friends, increasing from 21% to 25%
With 2018 shaping up to be all about the experience, it’s not just about the destination but also the people that matter to create memories. Mate’s escapes are the ultimate social time away from our everyday pressures, reducing stress and building connections with your friends. With the world only a click away it’s never been easier to find the perfect place to stay and explore with a large group of friends looking for adventure across every corner of the globe. Friend based getaways also have financial advantages as joint holidays with friends will allow them to stay in accommodation they wouldn’t be able to afford on their own.
8) Live like a local, not with one
In 2018, rental homes are going to be particularly popular – not just for travelers looking to stay in one, but also homeowners who are thinking of inviting others to stay in their own abode. One in three travelers says they’d prefer to stay in a holiday rental over a hotel and one in five would consider listing their home on a travel accommodation site.
Travelers are keen to have a local experience and will look to hosts for their expertise, as their host has strong local knowledge about local food and places to visit.
