Check Out the Travel Trends in 2023

If you want to know all the latest travel trends and tips, read my detailed and informational blog post! I’ve done a ton of research to pull all the statistics and predictions together into one condensed article.

If you’re planning any travel this year, you’ll want to check out the travel trends in 2023!

2022 Travel

2022 was a turning point for travel after two years of paralysis due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Destinations we dreamed about re-opened to tourists, and global airline bookings came close to pre-pandemic levels.

According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), International travel tripled between January and July of 2022, up 172% compared to the same period in 2021. More than 900 million tourists traveled internationally in 2022, double the number recorded in 2021 though still 63% of pre-pandemic levels.

Work from Roam

“Work from roam” is the new “work from home.” Between 2019 and 2021, work from home tripled from 5.7% to 17.9%.

Remote work gave people the possibility to “work from roam,” where they could virtually work from anywhere in the world. This not only allows them to work remotely, but continue to explore the world, meet new people, and get inspired.

“‘Work from roam” is not a trend – it’s a new normal that’s here to stay.

In 2023, “workcations,” the concept of combining work and holiday, are anticipated to remain popular. Domestic travel will be a common option for workcations as individuals look for ways to get away from the city and unwind in a more laid-back atmosphere.

Many hotels and apartments are seeing guests toting laptops and setting up their ‘office’ in their room, balcony, or by the pool, wherever they feel inspired. 

Travelers can increase their productivity at work and obtain some much-needed rest and relaxation by combining work and holidays.

Countries such as Costa Rica, Georgia, Croatia, Iceland, and Germany have already created official programs to attract digital nomads. Nomadlist is a platform connecting a global community of remote workers living and traveling around the world. The organization helps people find competitively priced locations to work from, with Bangkok and Lisbon in its top five cities for digital working.

Traveling Off-season

Travelers are looking to venture without too many people around and are opting for booking low-season trips. In the past, destinations have become overcrowded and experienced over-tourism with short high seasons and longer off-seasons. This trend is now changing.

Traveling off-season is cheaper due to less demand. With no crowds, people can experience a completely different side and feeling of a destination.

TV and Social Media Influence

People are turning to television and movies to seek travel inspiration. Globally, 66% of travelers have considered visiting a destination after seeing it featured in a show or movie they’ve watched from home, and 39% have booked a trip for the same reason.

The prevalence of social media has taken the power of word-of-mouth travel recommendations to the next level. Over 37% of people use social media to choose travel destinations. Millennials are the majority of social media users, with 86% having used social media to find specific travel inspiration.

Consumers look to their social media channels for travel inspiration. 69% of worldwide travelers say they use social media platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, and more while traveling. After an intensive hike to a rewarding view, a day at the beach, or any other picturesque vacation excursion, expressing genuine excitement is simple by posting a quick photo or reel to the ‘gram.

Sustainability 

What is sustainable travel and why is it important? Sustainable traveling aims to reduce the negative impact of tourism while increasing the benefits. This includes protecting natural environments and animal welfare and managing tourist activities and numbers.

As the world becomes more and more aware of the state of the earth, many travelers are seeking more sustainable travel options. One example is train travel. Eco-friendly and hassle-free countries that get train travel right will see a big boost this year.

The hotel industry has seen a noticeable transition to more eco-friendly designs and operations. Resorts are focusing on sustainability by operating solely on solar power, recycling rainwater, running on a low-waste model, and having handiwork such as furnishings and artwork created by locals.

Immersive Tourism

The travel industry is predicted to be innovative and adaptable in 2023. People are looking for new ways to travel and explore the world. Travel will be about saying “no” to normal, breaking routines, and searching for experiences without compromises.

There is a new trend to have immersive tours. Immersive tourism, also known as experiential tourism, takes a visitor to a deeper level, below the surface of a destination.

Anyone can go on a trip and “do” a lot, but most people don’t just want to “do” — they want to feel. Immersive tourism includes sensory types of experiences that amaze, excite, and teach visitors.

This type of tourism goes beyond show and tell. Anyone can sip samples at a winery, but what if you sipped while you … 

• Learned about the vineyard’s history
• Met the owner and the winemakers 
• Tried your hand at picking grapes
• Tasted the perfect pairing of cheese that you learned how to place in a picture-worthy cheeseboard that you can now recreate at home

Family and Multigenerational Travel

After travel restrictions over the past three years, people are looking to make up for the lost time when it comes to travel and visits with loved ones. Family reunion trips and multigenerational getaways are expected to see an increase in 2023.

Families who didn’t spend much time together during the pandemic are looking for purposeful, bucket-list trips to reconnect and bond.

Spending

A survey by Booking.com found that nearly half of its respondents said they are likely to spend more on their next trip to compensate for the lack of travel during the lockdown. 43% of respondents are willing to go all out when it comes to costs, especially younger travelers.

Travelers are ready to treat themselves no matter the cost, even if it means booking a higher-tier room category from what they normally book. People are seeing the added value of staying in an independent property that offers more space, amenities, and privacy versus a hotel room.

Destinations

Where will be the sought-after destinations for travel in 2023? 57% of travelers are interested in beach vacations in 2023, followed by 53% who want cultural and historical getaways, and 44% looking forward to a road trip in the coming year.

Outdoor-oriented trips are expected to increase in 2023. The huge upswing in National Park attendance over the past couple of years is expected to continue. The pandemic has made a lot of people realize how much they love the outdoors and how much they appreciate it. Travelers want to go out and breathe fresh air.

There is a new wave of interest in other destinations such as wellness retreats. 46% of global travelers are more open to wellness breaks than ever before.

Alternative getaways such as sylvotherapy (forest bathing), chakra sessions, food boot camps, puppy yoga, laughter therapy, and fruit harvesting are increasingly more popular than classics such as cookery courses, sports trips, and meditation sessions.

The top 5 destinations for 2023 are all about relaxation, exploration, and inspiration. Topping the list are France, the UK, Portugal, New Mexico, and Germany.

Here are some destinations expected to take center stage in 2023:

• Alaska: With fantastic summer weather and easy logistics from the U.S., Alaska has become a popular summer vacation destination. (Tip: it’s recommended to book your trip at least 9 months in advance).
• East Africa: For travelers who have their heart set on African wildlife – Tanzania and Kenya are great options for 2023. Opt for November to enjoy the short rainy season.
• Europe: With destinations like Greece, Italy, the UK, and France seeing record tourist numbers this past summer, consider heading to less crowded places like Malta, Corsica, the Azores, or Wales.
• New Zealand: An ever-popular tourist location, especially for travelers seeking out an adventure. New Zealand is always a great choice if you’re looking for a stunning backdrop to get lost.

Statistics

Here are a handful of interesting statistics that may influence your travel plans.

• Flight searches in 2022 for travel in 2023 were up 46% versus searches in 2021 for travel in 2022
• Both domestic and international flight SEARCHES are up for 2023 compared to 2022 (25% for domestic and 64% for international)
• Both domestic and international flight PRICES are up in 2023 compared to 2022 (52% for domestic and 29% for international)
• U.S. departures to most destinations around the world will see an increase in price for 2023 trips
• U.S. departure flights to the South Pacific (+3%) and Europe (+10%) will see the smallest price increases
• Solo travel is on the rise. Searches for single-person flights are up 36% for travel in 2023 compared to 2022

Plan Ahead

After being stuck in limbo for two years when border closures and lockdowns could not be predicted, travelers are back to planning their calendars in advance. 

Planning helps get better deals on flights and capitalize on promotions, an important factor as flight prices continue to rise in 2023.

A Virtuoso study found that travelers are, on average, booking trips farther ahead for 2023 than they did back in 2019. Travelers will be less likely to find a desirable vacation on short notice, compared to 2021 and 2022, when hotels were still half-empty.

Travel Tips

To help you plan your 2023 travel, here are some helpful tips and information. 

Tips for booking flights:

• Best day to book online: Sunday.
• Best lead time for booking flights: One month in advance for domestic. Six months in advance for international.
• Cheapest day to depart: Historical data shows that the lowest flight prices can be found if you book your departing flights on Thursdays or Fridays.
• Tracking: Use the Price Tracking and Prediction feature on the apps like Expedia to see flight price changes in real time.
• Months to avoid traveling: Opt for better deals by avoiding booking trips in the busier months of June and July.

Expedia.com has listed the below cultural capitals to see in 2023:

1. Edinburgh, Scotland
2. Lisbon, Portugal
3. Tokyo, Japan
4. Dublin, Ireland
5. New York, USA
6. Sydney, Australia
7. Dubai, UAE
8. Montreal, Canada
9. Munich, Germany
10. Bangkok, Thailand

Summary

Were you surprised about any of these travel trends in 2023? I learned a thing or two when collecting this information. I’m eager to see how travel changes in the future.

We all have a new appreciation for the freedom to travel where we want and when we want. If you’re like me, you are excited to have a back-to-normal year of travel where we can plan whatever trips our hearts desire.

So, what are you planning for travel in 2023?

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If you are looking for assistance to plan your next trip, I am here for YOU! I love to plan travel itineraries for myself and others. For more details on how I provide this service, please check out my Itinerary Planning page and drop me a quick email at jan@janadventures.com to get started!