Travel habits change every year as airlines, accommodation providers, and vacationers respond to new priorities. Shorter breaks, environmental concerns, and flexible working have all influenced the way that people plan their trips. So, if you’re in the hospitality industry or simply want some inspiration for your next vacation, here are some travel trends to watch:
1. Short breaks instead of long holidays
Many travelers now spread their annual leave across several shorter trips instead of booking one extended vacation. A long weekend can work just as well for a city break or coastal escape, particularly if there are direct trains or flights. The rise of airport rental cars has also made shorter trips more practical, because they allow you to leave the airport and head straight to your accommodation without waiting for organized transfers or wasting time negotiating unfamiliar public transit systems.
2. Lower-impact travel
Environmental considerations now influence many travel decisions. For example, some travelers choose accommodation with recognized sustainability credentials, while others travel by train where practical or spend longer in one location instead of visiting several destinations during the same vacation. ‘Slow travel’ - a growing trend over the past few years - is partly influenced by this desire for lower-impact vacations.
Local restaurants, independent businesses, and guided tours run by local companies also tend to get more attention from travelers who want more of their spending to stay within the local economy. This is worth noting if you run a chain or franchise - it’s often worth showcasing local events, producers, and so on in addition to your wider offering, as this will draw in the low-impact travelers.
3. Holidays built around learning
Many people now travel with a specific activity in mind rather than filling each day with sightseeing. For example, cooking courses, photography workshops, diving qualifications, language classes, and craft workshops all give travelers a chance to return home with a new skill alongside their vacation photographs.
That approach also creates more opportunities to spend time with local instructors and other visitors who share the same interests. Many vacationers find that it provides a more immersive and authentic experience of a place than simply wandering around looking at the local sights.
4. Health and wellbeing
For many travelers, a vacation now includes time deliberately set aside for rest as well as sightseeing. Walking holidays, yoga retreats, spa breaks, and trips centered on outdoor activities have become much more common. Some travelers also choose accommodation with fitness facilities, healthy dining options or easy access to walking trails instead of focusing entirely on luxury extras.
5. Trips built around personal interests
Many people now tailor their vacations to specifically reflect their individual interests rather than booking a package tour or following the well-worn tourist trail around their chosen location.
For example, one traveler may build an itinerary around food, another around architecture, and another around live music or wildlife. The rise in private guides, specialist tours, and bespoke vacation planning businesses all makes that approach much easier than it was a few years ago.
Modern travelers also tend to spend more time researching neighborhoods, restaurants, and local businesses before booking instead of relying entirely on traditional guidebooks. All in all, individualized vacations are increasingly the name of the game in late 20s travel - and traditional tourism industries would be well advised to keep that in mind rather than continuing to offer the same old generic experiences.
Keep these trends in perspective
Not every travel trend will suit every trip, and you do not need to follow all of them at once. Think about the type of vacation you actually want, then choose the ideas that match your plans. A shorter break, a cooking class, or a few extra days in one location may change the way you travel without changing your budget or your destination.
If you run a hospitality business, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on these trends and adjust accordingly to boost your business in the years to come.