THE TOP TRAVEL TRENDS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN 2023
Work from anywhere, multi-gen getaways and remote stays — these are some of the travel trends to look out for in 2023.
If 2022 was the year for hastily booked getaways to both well-beaten and familiar destinations as a means of heralding a return to normalcy, then the upcoming year is a chance for thoughtful travel after the chaos.
Insights from various global travel agencies including Expedia, Booking.com and Virtuoso reveal that travel sensibilities put on hold by the pandemic will be staging a triumphant return come 2023, even as trends born from the Covid-19 era take root.
We highlight out 5 key trends that will define the way people travel in 2023.
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The rise of ‘bleisure’
Case in point: the ‘bleisure’ traveller eager to make use of newfangled work-from-anywhere policies. According to Expedia’s 2023 Traveller Value Index which surveyed around 11,000 adults from countries like the United States, Japan, Germany, France and the United Kingdom, 28 per cent of people plan to take a ‘flexcation’ in the following year.
What’s a flexcation? Thinking sipping on a pina colada while lounging in a private pool and tuning in to a Zoom call.
A further 76 per cent of travelled polled by Expedia planned to extend work trips with some extra holidaymaking, thereby capitalising on the fervent return of business-related travel.
Some bleisure travellers take it a step further by becoming fulltime digital nomads – effectively taking a permanent ‘holiday’ while working a fully remote job.
Multidisciplinary design firm WATG sees this shift in mindset as an opportunity for hotels and resorts to rethink the designs for their suites. Adjustments like more wardrobe space, videocall-friendly backgrounds, more flexible work areas and an overall shift to homelier vibes might be on the horizon for hoteliers looking to capture these travellers.
Go off-grid in style
Conversely, the flexible work arrangements also led to a blurring of lines between home and the office, in turn driving the desire to get away from it all – think escapes to rustic retreats at least a couple of thousand kilometres away from the nearest laser printer.
Almost half of some 24,000 travellers from across 32 countries surveyed by Booking.com for its Travel Predictions 2023 research expressed a desire for a travel experience best described as “back-to-basics” with only the bare necessities. A similar number (58 per cent) were keen to learn survival skills like sourcing clean water in the wilderness or starting a fire from scratch while on holiday.
However, these travellers were only willing to go off-grid provided it was a luxurious retreat (48 per cent) – with non-negotiable niceties like a phone and internet connection (53 per cent). No wonder we’re seeing growing demand for off-grid hospitality options that cater to the well-heeled.
Multi-generational getaways
Another trend set to make a return in 2023 is the large family getaway. Multi-generational gatherings – especially those split across international lines – have been put on the backburner for the better part of three years.
According to multidisciplinary design firm WATG, this translates into increased demand for accommodations and entertainment best suited for the entire family. Think interconnected suites, villas or bungalows with smart lock-off options and flexible configurations, as well as integrated hospitality facilities that cater both to excitable children and harried adults.
Prioritising wellness
Wellness-centric travel will remains a focus. Expedia, Booking.com and WATG all forecast strong demand for travel with a goal of attaining peace for the mind, body and soul. Booking.com’s survey reveals that two in five are keen on mindfulness or meditation getaways – with a similar number looking at committing to a silent retreat.
The onus will be on hoteliers to keep up their amenities and programmes with the latest in physical, mental and spiritual wellness offerings. They can go a step further, says WATG, by incorporating wellness elements into the natural architecture of their individual hospitality facilities – like a dramatic upside-down spa centre with a magnificent alpine view.
Strong tailwinds for sustainability
Purpose-driven travel also remains a strong contender, concluded luxury travel agency Virtuoso after running their own survey among 300 travellers. They noticed that travellers, particularly millennials and Gen Z, are visiting locations that embrace environmentally-friendly philosophies and practices while preserving the natural and cultural heritage.
And three out of four surveyed are willing to pay more for to travel sustainably too – provided they know where the money is going. In fact, 70 per cent agreed that travelling sustainability actually enhances their vacation experience.
