Exploration will figure more prominently among global travellers in 2020, fuelled by technology as well as a growing sense of responsibility and deeper connection with the people and places visited, according to Booking.com’s latest predictions of travel trends for the year ahead.
Here are the top travel trends as revealed by the online travel platform, following research among more than 22,000 travellers across 29 markets:
Rise of the “second city” traveller
Second-city travel, referring to the exploration of lesser-known destinations in a bid to reduce overtourism, will take a leap forward in 2020. Some 51 per cent of global travellers would swap their original destination for a lesser-known, but similar, alternative, if they knew it would leave less of an environmental impact.
Growing reliance in tech-generated recommendations
2020 will see travellers put key aspects of their decision-making process even more firmly in the hands of technology. Some 59 per cent of global travellers want technology to offer them a “wildcard” and surprise options that would introduce them to something entirely new.
The art of slow travel
Travel in 2020 will be all about taking it slow and focusing on the journey. Forty-eight per cent of travellers plan to take slower modes of transport to reduce their environmental impact and 61 per cent would prefer to take a longer route to experience more of the journey itself.
Discovering the all-amusive escape
Time-starved travellers will want to be as time-efficient as possible on vacation, so instead of settling into one theme for the entire vacation, 2020 will see a rise in travelers exploring the ‘all-amusive’, by visiting destinations that offer an array of enriching experiences and attractions, with
Pets in the priority lane
Pet-centric vacations will become more popular as travellers put the needs of their beloved pets well before their own when it comes to selecting where to go, where to stay and what to do, with 42 per cent agreeing they would choose holiday destinations based on whether they can take their pets.
Meanwhile, Booking.com is also observing a rise in the number of pet-friendly properties around the world.
Making great memories with ‘grand’ getaways
As today’s older generation is healthier, more adventurous and more keen to stay young and active than ever before, more grandparents are expected to take epic vacations with just their grandkids to enjoy ‘grand’ vacations that offer an array of active experiences for both generations to take part in.
Race to the reservation
The coming year will see travelers put culinary ambitions at the forefront of their travel decision making, in a race to snag that all important restaurant reservation. For many, where and when they travel will start with – and depend on – whether they can reserve a table to enjoy highly coveted cuisine.
Fast track to long-term travel
As retirement looks set to become less and less about reaching a certain age and leaving the workforce, 2020 will see ‘retirement years’ become surprisingly synonymous with ‘adventurous travel planning’, as travellers will shift their mindset and start to plan big for their future golden years.
Booking.com also predicts the top 10 trending destinations for 2020 to be Gzira (Malta), Ninh Binh (Vietnam), Salta (Argentina), Seogwipo (South Korea), Jodhpur (India), Swinoujscie (Poland), Takamatsu (Japan), San Juan (Puerto Rico), Zabljak (Montenegro) and Yerevan (Armenia).
The full report of Booking.com’s travel trends for 2020 can be viewed here.
