Despite the complex economic and geopolitical landscape around the world, 72% of people still feel the need to travel.
If 2022 is the year of the successful return of the tourism industry after the COVID-19 pandemic, 2023 is the year of innovation according to recent research by Booking.com.
Amidst a global landscape volatile with conflict, high inflation and pressing concerns about climate change continuing to transform the world, people seem to be in a deep tug of war, struggling to reconcile what is considered essential with the desire to travel. The predicted travel trends for 2023 reflect this vision and show that tourist demand is changing dramatically.
Rise of survival tourism
Putting up a tent, cooking with a campfire and following a compass… these will be the most important tourism trends of the coming year. Traveling without using or relying on public amenities, especially electricity and the internet, may never be as desirable as it will be in 2023. 44% of travelers want to return to basic living conditions and are looking for a no-fuss holiday to get away from reality, disconnect and live with the bare necessities.
Although this model of survival tourism is not that new, its popularity now reflects people’s growing interest in being able to protect themselves in the most extreme circumstances. This trend also reflects a certain concern about the future.
More ecotours are expected to meet the needs of city dwellers disconnected from nature, as well as accommodation establishments offering suggestions for guests to live more self-sufficient lives. The number of wilderness survival schools is also expected to increase, where visitors will learn the skills needed to survive a disaster.
Virtual tourism
More than 40% of travelers around the world say they will switch to virtual reality for their holidays next year. In 2023, tourism will seriously enter the ever-evolving 3D space of the metaverse (roughly translated as virtual universe). 35% of the surveyed visitors said they would embark on a multi-day travel experience modeled on virtual or augmented reality. Tourists are no longer limited by actual conditions and can experience various tourist attractions in metaverse.
From there, travelers in real life will be more adventurous in their travel options because after experiencing metaverse, tourists are more likely to physically go to destinations they hadn’t considered before. Meanwhile, 60% of respondents said the virtual experience didn’t satisfy them enough to tick a destination off their bucket list.
Step out of the comfort zone
More and more tourists want to experience and immerse themselves in a new culture while travelling. Half of the visitors in the survey said they would like to experience a complete “culture shock” by 2023, traveling to a place with a completely different cultural and linguistic experience or exploring lesser-known cities and going off the beaten track. to go.
In 2023, travelers will be looking for unique vacations that surprise and delight. With 73% of people looking forward to traveling ‘outside their comfort zone’, push them to the limit with a multitude of new experiences. For example, 47% are looking for the weirdest food in the world, such as the hottest chili peppers, while 38% want to use the holidays to go on an alien learning journey and unidentified flying objects (UFOs). Even 28% want to buy a one-way ticket and follow their instinct everywhere.
Travel does not affect finances
In the context of global economic uncertainty, travelers will continue to prioritize travel in 2023, but they will be more aware of how to make the most of their travel budget and specify what they need. priority. While 50% of those surveyed said investing in the holidays remains their top priority, 68% continue to prioritize travel while saving money.
In 2023 it is crucial to develop financially viable travel routes. Travelers will better plan their budget by taking advantage of deals, tips, and on-time travel through discounts and loyalty offers.
@ Cafe