Have you heard that the most popular type of vacation in 2023 will be nostalgic getaways?
Get ready to pack your bags and buckle up because this text is going to take you on a wild ride. With 2023 shaping up to be a big year for travel, Booking.com has dug deep to uncover the top travel trends and experiences that will dominate the year ahead. So, fasten your seatbelt, and let’s go! travel trends 2023
Booking.com has encompassing travelers’ preferred destinations, motivations for exploring the world, and the significant influence of budget on their travel plans. With an enthusiastic outlook on the year ahead, travelers are poised to make 2023 a monumental year for venturing out and discovering new horizons. So let’s discover these insights.
2023 will be the year of reimagining travel travel trends 2023
As the world adjusts to a post-Covid reality and the limited international travel and national lockdowns of the past, travelers are eager to embrace the opportunity to explore the world in 2023, which is set to become the year of reimagining travel.
Research shows that 73% of people are now more optimistic about traveling than they were in 2022, as travel restrictions and Covid testing are expected to become a thing of the past. Despite global economic and political uncertainties, 72% of travelers still believe that travel is worth the effort.
The most popular types of vacations and experiences in 2023
Although a change of scenery and a chance to bask in the sun will remain popular reasons for vacationing, 2023 will likely witness a shift in travelers’ motivations and the types of vacations they choose to take. travel trends 2023
Peace and pleasure pilgrimages
In 2023, a vacation is not only a means to unwind and de-stress, but also an opportunity for travelers to indulge in peace and pleasure pilgrimages to enhance their overall well-being. According to recent research, 42% of travelers intend to embark on health-focused retreats that cater to their mental and physical needs, including specialized programs for pregnancy and menopause. Additionally, almost half of the respondents (44%) desire to partake in meditation or mindfulness retreats to achieve inner tranquility.
Furthermore, some travelers aim to rejuvenate their bodies through other means. 36% expressed an interest in indulging in an erotic escape to explore new forms of pleasure and kinks.
Interestingly, a significant percentage (36%) also expressed a desire to experience psychedelic journeys facilitated by cannabis or psychedelics such as mushrooms or ayahuasca. This could lead to an increase in travel to countries where such experiences are legal, such as The Netherlands or Brazil.
Virtual reality inspiring travel choices
Although the world is not yet ready to embrace science-fiction-inspired travel, it provides a glimpse of what lies ahead for travelers. A survey shows that 43% of travelers intend to use virtual reality technology as a source of inspiration for their travel plans, with 46% more likely to visit a destination if they could experience it virtually first.
Some travelers are enthusiastic about experiencing the Metaverse for multiple days, with 35% of respondents stating that they would opt for multi-day augmented or virtual reality travel experiences. With the continuous advancement of haptic feedback technology, virtual travelers may soon feel as if they are walking on sand or basking in the sun without ever leaving their homes.
Despite these technological advancements, the majority of travelers (60%) still believe that virtual travel is not as fulfilling as being physically present. Therefore, it is unlikely that in 2023, most travelers will replace their sunglasses with VR goggles when exploring the world.
Taking travel off-grid travel trends 2023
After numerous lockdowns that prevented people from traveling or leaving their homes, we have become increasingly dependent on technology for entertainment. However, with most restrictions lifted, travelers are now eager to detach themselves from technology, as revealed by a survey where 55% of respondents expressed a desire to spend their vacations off-grid.
Survival!
With a growing desire for a back-to-basics experience, many travelers are planning to use their vacations in 2023 to acquire survival skills, as indicated by 58% of respondents in a recent survey. These skills include sourcing clean water (53%), starting a fire from scratch (42%), foraging for food in the wild (39%), and even prepping for an apocalypse (39%).
Connecting with nature travel trends 2023
While disconnecting from technology is a top priority for many, almost half (48%) of respondents would only consider going off-grid if they could bring some luxuries and indulgences with them. Furthermore, 53% revealed that they would need their phone and a stable internet connection to enjoy the experience. Despite this, the allure of connecting with nature and enjoying the simplicity of life away from the hustle and bustle of modern society remains strong.
Looking for culture shocks
Many of us live our lives in a certain routine, and that includes our vacations. However, travelers are looking for a break from their routines, and 50% want to experience a culture shock in 2023.
Embracing the unfamiliar
In 2023, travelers are looking to break away from their typical travel routines and seek out new experiences. While it can be tempting to revisit familiar places, almost three-quarters (73%) are eager to explore beyond their comfort zones. This includes 30% who are interested in discovering hidden gems in lesser-known cities.
For those seeking a unique cultural experience, 38% want to immerse themselves in the hunt for UFOs, leading to a potential increase in visitors to hotspots such as Roswell, New Mexico. On the other hand, 47% are interested in sampling exotic delicacies, such as the world’s hottest chili pepper (currently held by the California Reaper, bred in Rock Hill, South Carolina).
Budget-savvy traveling travel trends 2023
With the global economy not showing any immediate signs of improvement as we head into 2023, travelers are becoming more budget-conscious, with 68% paying close attention to how much they’re spending on their adventures. However, despite the ongoing economic and energy crises, half (50%) say investing in a vacation is still a top priority.
Prioritizing travel spend travel trends 2023
After the limitations on travel in the past couple of years, many travelers have had the opportunity to save the money that they would have spent on vacations. Consequently, 49% of them plan to spend more on their 2023 travels to make up for it, while 43% aim to indulge themselves by spending more to enhance their overall experience. Additionally, one-third (33%) disclosed their fondness for shopping for items that are unavailable in their home country while vacationing.
How are travelers saving money when booking vacations? travel trends 2023
While many intend on living their best life while on vacation, travelers are finding ways to spend less in order to get there.
Almost two-thirds (63%) will keep a close eye on deals and hacks, with more than half (53%) happy to travel off-season or via longer routes. That means 2023’s off-season may be a little busier than last year’s, while the summer may be somewhat quieter than usual. This may help spread the crowds at busy attractions such as Walt Disney World.
61% of people also intend on planning their vacations further in advance, so expect to see fewer last-minute travelers in 2023.
Embracing ‘real life’ work travel travel trends 2023
The pandemic allowed businesses to see the positive impact remote working could have, which led to many employers embracing a “work from anywhere” mentality. While employees have enjoyed hitting the beach during their lunch hour or working on their laptops by the pool, working while traveling trends are set to change in 2023.
Two-thirds (66%) of people want their trips to be strictly work-free in 2023. This is despite the 51% of people want their employer to use the money saved from remote working to fund corporate travel or retreats.
Perhaps this is something businesses should consider, as 59% believe exploring somewhere new will inspire them to be more productive at work and 44% believe that ‘real life’ work trips help bring people together.
Top Trending Destinations for 2023 travel trends 2023
To help travelers discover the ultimate destinations to have on their radar in 2023, Booking.com has delved into global booking trends to share these top trending destinations for travelers to explore.
São Paulo, Brazil
450km west of Rio de Janeiro is the fabulous city of São Paulo, which is home to some of the tallest skyscrapers in the country. It’s also filled with culture and is home to the São Paulo Museum of Art, the Museum of Ipiranga, the Football Museum and the Museum of the Portuguese Language.
Of course, there are plenty of beach hotels in São Paulo for those looking to soak up the sun in between soaking up the culture.
Budva, Montenegro
Budva may be a small Montenegrin town on the Adriatic coast, but with picture-perfect views and beautiful sandy beaches, it offers a chance to relax by day and enjoy the eclectic party scene by night.
Pondicherry, India
Located on India’s southeastern coast, Pondicherry is a wonderful, laid-back town with a rich French history. With plenty of culture and opportunities to relax, there’s lots to see and do for adventurous tourists.
Pondicherry has a wide range of independent stores for the quarter (25%) of travelers who want to incorporate local accessories into their style.
Kalabaka, Greece
Nestled at the feet of rocky mountains, Kalabaka is a Greek destination steeped in religious history and culture. The monasteries of Saint Barbara Roussanou and Meteora are sights that have to be seen to be believed, built in the 11th century at the peak of towering rock formations.
There are also plenty of museums to visit to feed inquisitive minds, including the Natural History Museum, the Geological Formation Museum and the Hellenic Culture Museum.
Santa Fe, United States
From skiing during the winter months to explore some of the 1.6 million acres that make up the Santa Fe National Forest in spring and summer, there’s so much to experience in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Renowned as an art city, there’s also a variety of galleries and museums to visit, from textiles and folk art at the Museum of International Folk Art to the inspiring work by Georgia O’Keeffe at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.
Querétaro, Mexico
Located in central Mexico, Querétaro may not have any beaches but it makes up for it with a variety of ecosystems, including rainforests, mountains and deserts. There are plenty of tours on offer around the city to keep you busy for days.
Bolzano, Italy
At the foot of the Italian Alps and just 85km from the Austrian border, Bolzano is an Italian medieval city that offers skiing, history and buzzing nightlife. Home to the Museum of Archaeology and mountainside Roncolo Castle, you won’t run out of things to see and do in this diverse and lively city.
For the third (33%) of travelers who will be traveling with friends in 2023, Bolzano has plenty to keep you entertained both day and night.
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Located on the northwestern coast of the island of Borneo, Kota Kinabalu, often referred to locally as KK, offers miles of exploration. From Kinabalu National Park to Mount Kinabalu, travelers can take walking tours to see orangutans in the wild.
For those less adventurous days, there are plenty of white sandy beaches offering views across the South China Sea. Kota Kinabalu is perfect for the 21% of travelers who said they want to spend their 2023 vacation relaxing on a beach.
Olomouc, Czech Republic
Many travelers head to the Czech Republic for exhilarating nightlife in cities such as Prague. However, 235 miles away, the city of Olomouc is packed with incredible architecture and quaint streets lined with restaurants and cafes. There’s also history and culture to experience, including the Museum of Modern Art and the 12th-century St. Wenceslas Cathedral.
Hobart, Australia
Hobart is a town in southern Tasmania on the banks of the River Derwent. To the west is Mount Wellington, a 4,170-foot mountain that provides jaw-dropping views across Wellington Park and the surrounding areas.
The town also has a lively nightlife, with a selection of bars, clubs and restaurants, making Hobart the perfect location for the 72% of travelers open to nightlife-centric vacations.
