Every year, major travel companies predict what they think will be the top travel trends of the year and, every year, I patiently wait for December to see if the predictions were correct. Though we are already four months into 2023 (how?!), American Express has gathered its findings on the top travel trends of 2023.
What’s trending?
According to American Express, the top four global travel trends are:
- Set-jetting: This entails travelers jetting off to places they’ve seen onscreen. The popularity of White Lotus explains the uptick in travel to Hawaii and Italy. 64% of respondents agree that they have been inspired to travel to a destination after seeing it on a TV show, a news source, or more.
- Traveling off the beaten path: In stark contrast to set-jetting, travelers are just as keen to discover hidden gems. 68% of those surveyed agreed that they pride themselves on finding lesser-known vacation spots.
- Foodie vacations: More and more travelers are planning entire vacations around dining experiences. Travelers were most interested in exploring the local restaurant scene and music festivals and least interested in chef tasting menus and cooking classes.
- A wellness wave: Taking trips as a form of self-care and going on restorative vacations is on the rise. 57% of respondents said they plan to take extended wellness trips. In the US, the most popular self-care wellness activities were visiting a private beach and getting a massage or facial.
More findings
- Travelers are increasingly interested in experiencing the local culture of the communities they are visiting. 79% of respondents said they would love to partake in a day in the life of the locals at their destination. This also echoes Booking.com’s predictions.
- Word of mouth and social media are two of the strongest deciding factors for where travelers decided to book their trips. In terms of pop culture, TV shows and movies drove booking decisions the most followed Instagram, Facebook, then TikTok.
Well, that’s surprising…
Money is no object: 74% of people surveyed said that they care more about creating a travel experience that meets their expectations than about the cost. Personally, I have a tough time with this one. Here at Dollar Flight Club we are obsessed with flight deals and seeing the world while saving our coins. You don’t need to decimate your savings account for a trip, just sign up for Dollar Flight Club.
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