Many factors have changed the way Americans travel in the last few years – from the pandemic, to the economy and changes in technology. Here are some trends that may indicate how travel will look in the immediate future.
1. Travel Immune to Inflation?
Inflation has been painful for many Americans, but that doesn't mean they're willing to sacrifice their travel plans. Studies show that many have continued to spend just as much, but they are frequently opting for more spending on travel and services while cutting back on goods.
According to Forbes, "Inflation is hitting everyone’s bottom line but so far, that’s not enough to deter anyone from skipping their travel plans. The U.S. Travel Foundation is forecasting an increase in travel spending in 2023 compared to 2022 (or 2019, for that matter). As a traveler, that means you should still expect completely full flights and plenty of other visitors at popular travel spots. Deals might be harder to find while demand stays high, but there are still ways to save on travel in 2023." (1)
2. Remote Work on the Go
Remote work was on the rise before COVID-19, but the global pandemic ushered in a new era of widespread remote and hybrid work. Many workers realized this flexibility was important to them and decided to seek out jobs where this is an option if their current employer didn't meet this demand.
One of the benefits of remote work is that it can be done from virtually anywhere. That means workers can enjoy traveling without having to take extended time off. They can work from wherever they happen to be, as long as they have Wi-Fi. This trend will no doubt continue to be popular.
3. Traveling for Mental Health
The past few years have been particularly hard on people’s mental health, and one of the best ways to gain positive feelings is to travel and engage in leisure activity. Expect a lot of people to take relaxing vacations.
UAB Medicine says, "Stress is one of the biggest triggers for mental and physical illness, but you can fight back in a proactive way by traveling more. Vacations take your mind away from day-to-day routines and allow you to relax and recharge. The things that cause you stress in your daily life seem far away when you travel, which helps you put everything into better perspective once you return home." (2)
Trips that involve nature, the beach, and spas will be particularly popular among those looking to unwind and take care of their mental health.
4. Traveling for Experiences
Relaxation isn't enough for some travelers. A great number are seeking experiences that destinations have to offer. According to a survey from GetYourGuide, 95 percent would like to spend at least part of their trip on new and unique experiences, and 48 percent say this is the primary reason for the trip. (3)
According to that survey, 64 percent want to discover something they didn't know about before, while 60 percent want to visit a popular destination, and 56 percent want to explore a location they've never heard of. Interestingly, 93 percent are willing to cut back on gifts, souvenirs, eating out, transportation, and/or accommodations, but 71 percent said they are not willing to cut back on activities and experiences.
5. The Metaverse
One of the most interesting emerging trends is the concept of the Metaverse and how it can be used in the travel industry. The Metaverse is essentially a virtual/augmented reality network that allows people to virtually connect with one another around shared experiences. Some foresee this having an impact in travel.
Virtual reality tourism already allows users of VR (virtual reality) headsets to explore destinations in immersive fashion from the comfort of their home. People can experience theme park rides in VR, for example. The Metaverse can potentially be used to entice travelers to experience destinations in person by giving them a better idea of what to expect than any advertisement could do. It's the early days for this technology, but the future should see significant evolutions and a better glimpse into the future of the Metaverse.
How will the current trends affect your travel plans? Do you plan to change your spending habits? Will you travel more as you work remotely? Will you travel for relaxation or for experiences? Will you sample some destinations virtually before deciding where to go?
Safe and fun travels.
1. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/travel-rewards/travel-trends-predictions-2023/
2. https://www.uabmedicine.org/-/why-vacations-and-travel-are-essential-for-good-mental-health
3. https://www.yahoo.com/now/2023-travel-trends-u-travelers-140000933.html