When you think of trendy industries, your thoughts likely first turn toward the world of fashion. What’s hot one month may be totally out the next. Sometimes what was once thought passé can come back to the fore almost unexpectedly. But, fashion isn’t the only industry that’s subject to the quick transformations brought about by trends… travel trends work the same way in travel industry!
In the past year alone, the world of travel has evolved significantly, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down in the year to come. In fact, there are some big trends for 2018 that travelers, travel agents and destinations around the world are bracing for.
What are they? Well, that’s what we’re going to be exploring below. On this list, we’ve pulled together what we believe will be the 20 biggest travel industry trends to mark the evolution of the travel industry in 2018. Some of these trends have already started to emerge, while some are just around the corner.
Whatever the case may be, being knowledgeable about these trends can help you to do two things. First, you’ll understand what you’re encountering the next time you head out on vacation. Second, these trends can help you to plan a trip that will meet or exceed your own expectations in the year to come. With that in mind, let’s take a look…
Travel Trends
Like every industry, the travel industry is in a constant state of evolution. People will always seek to travel and do so affordably and in new, exciting ways. This industry relies on travel professionals to be innovative and give their clients even more creative trips than have been booked in years past. With the rise of sectors such as eco-tourism, the travel industry is poised to take on a new type of client and the good news is this opens up different avenues to see some of the world’s great sites in a brand new way or see entirely new destinations. In the video below, the trends that are showcased are from 2017, but expect many of these trends to continue into this year and evolve accordingly.
1. Sustainable Tourism
With the world getting more crowded by the day, vacationing in a sustainable manner is becoming more important.
2. Train Trips
The nostalgia of rail lines is giving way to an emerging industry of train-based tourism. You might be surprised by how cool these trips can be!
3. Extreme Vacations
Travelers are becoming thrill seekers, and the tourism industry is catching up on this most exciting of travel trends, offering all manner of extreme vacation experiences.
4. Big Showers
People just don’t take baths as often as they once did, which is why more and more hotels around the world are installing big, high-tech showers.
5. Leaving Your Comfort Zone
Of the emerging travel industry trends, one of the most prominent is people thinking of travel as a means of opening their eyes, which is why they’re traveling to more exotic places wherein they can immerse themselves in an unfamiliar culture.
6. National Parks
The cost of travel is definitely on the rise, which is why more and more people are looking to national park vacations than ever before.
7. The Multi-Generational Vacation
Parents need a break, don’t they? That’s why the grandparent-grandchildren vacation is becoming increasingly common among emerging travel trends.
8. Glamping
Want to experience the great outdoors with some (or all) of the comforts of home? Then glamping sites are definitely for you!
9. Watching the Kids
Traveling internationally with the little ones? Look out for more airlines to introduce “sky nannies” in 2018 an beyond.
10. Art Retreats
Art is a great way to clear the mind and to invigorate the spirit, a reason why art retreats are becoming more popular with a wider group of travelers.
Emerging Travel Industry Trends
On this list, you clearly see the many different modalities that people are using to travel. Travel professionals are keenly aware of this and are designing vacations that fulfill the wishes of travelers. Often, traveling can be stressful so having greater amenities along with trips that speak to the deep-seated interests of travelers is a guarantee of building relationships with new clients and strengthening bonds with existing clients.
While many of these trends are easy to spot – for example, the opening of Cuba and South Korea as the Olympics draw near, others such as vacations geared around grandparents or glamping are considerably different and have a specific type of traveler seeking out those trips.
11. Big-Budget Cruise Amenities
There’s an arms race brewing in the cruising industry, and that means that ships are getting outfitted with amenities once thought unimaginable.
12. River Cruises
Speaking of cruises, 2018 is shaping up to be one of the biggest years yet for river cruises, particularly in Europe.
13. AirBNB
Although some locations are clamping down on services like AirBNB, this service has definitely emerged as a great way to save money on vacation. Your accommodations are cheaper, and you can often cook for yourself.
14. South Korea
With the Winter Olympics only a few months away now, South Korea has been emerging as one of the world’s more popular tourist destinations.
15. Cuba
Likewise, the lessening of tension between the United States and Cuba means that tourism in the island nation is decidedly on the rise.
16. Medical Tourism
These days, some are choosing to get their surgeries in exotic locations with first-rate medical care. Why not recover in style? Couldn’t hurt…
17. The Extended Vacation
The digital workplace means that more people are now able to go on extended working vacations to some of the world’s most exotic locations.
18. Culinary Tours
With more people thinking about the quality of what they eat, tours and vacations geared around culinary experiences are becoming a big thing.
19. Voluntourism
Many find themselves wanting to give back to the world, which is why many are volunteering and vacationing at the same time.
20. The Wellness Vacation
On the flip side, there are more and more resorts opening up that promise their guests a wellness vacation, complete with spa treatments, yoga, exercise and more.
