Travel Trends in 2023
SUSTAINABILITY / THE ENVIRONMENT Not surprisingly there is increased awareness of the environment and the impact that travel can have on this, both positive and negative. Tourism is responsible for roughly 8% of the world's carbon emissions. The sector is working hard to reduce this amount. On the flip side, travel brings a lot of good – educating people, the sharing of ideas and cultures, increased economic opportunities, increased employment options, more support and funding for conservation projects etc. An increasing number of consumers are actively trying to reduce their carbon footprint. In terms of travel options, this might be choosing to take the train rather than flying. It’s possible to make ethical and sustainable choices about where to go, where to stay and where to spend your money to ensure you are supporting local communities and giving back to local businesses as much as possible. For example, checking the green credentials of a hotel (some companies are better than others), choosing to stay in a locally owned hotel rather than a big, multi-national chain, eating out in an independent restaurant, buying locally designed and produced handicrafts rather than buying ‘tat’ that’s been mass produced in a factory. These are all things that I actively try to do when I am at the planning stage of a trip and also once I am in the destination.
HEALTH & WELLBEING Another area that has seen an increase is health and wellbeing. I’ve noticed more interest in these type of holidays, for example a retreat, perhaps with yoga and a focus on mindfulness, rest and relaxation. Often there will be no mobile phones / no social media – allowing for a digital detox. These holidays give customers a chance to have a proper ‘break’ from the pressures of modern life and to re-set. I myself have been to Goa in India several times to practise yoga every day and I loved spending time enjoying a slower pace of life and the time on my yoga mat (as well as eating the delicious curries).
UK / HOLIDAYING AT HOME This is a trend that started in lockdown due to Covid travel restrictions when we were legally not permitted to leave the country. For many people it was an opportunity to explore their local area and / or places around the UK. I’m finding that customers are still keen to holiday in the UK, perhaps partly because they are choosing to fly less (see the environment point above) or perhaps they are taking a break here in addition to an overseas holiday. In 2021 I enjoyed a fabulous week exploring Northumberland – somewhere that until then I had never visited. The scenery is stunning – I especially loved all the massive, empty, windswept beaches and castles. I’ve also had some great city breaks and days out to places such as Chester, Liverpool, Leeds and York.
BUCKET LIST TRIPS With travel having been on hold for a lot of people for up to three years due to the global pandemic, another trend is that this year, 2023, people are keen to go on a big, bucket list trip. They are wanting to tick somewhere off their travel wish list! These are often the big, famous, worldwide sights such as Angkor Wat, the Great Barrier Reef, Rome, going on safari in Africa, the Grand Canyon, seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland, the beaches of Bali or the Maldives - the list is endless and very individual/personal. For me, I am doing just this and have booked to go to Peru in September. The country has been on my travel wish list for years and this year I was determined it was going to be at the top of my list and I was going to make it happen. I’ll be visiting Lima, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, Cusco and of course Machu Picchu. I can’t wait!