From snowy Poconos resorts, eco-conscious holidays, the new way to travel solo to Southern Charm-filled foodie tours, 2019 shaped up to be a great year in the world of travel.
Here are some vital travel trends during 2019:
1. Green Travel
Green Travel refers to both 'ecotourism' and 'sustainable travel'.
Germany leads the pack when it comes to eco-conscious travel. Twenty-two percent of the German travelers surveyed were "green travelers" by definition: Travelers who, at least once in the last six months, decided not to book travel to reduce their carbon footprint.
Given the variety of domestic and intercontinental holiday destinations that Europe provides, combined with the ubiquity and relative ease of train travel, France, Spain, and the United Kingdom were also among the top five countries who chose greener options.
Impact on the environment affects travel decisions. There is an increasing amount of requests for trips to wildlife refuges, national parks, and other natural areas outside of big cities, as well as cost-effective and carbon-reducing ways to get there as a sustainable manner.
Gen Zers and Millennials may be more acutely aware that travel behaviors need to change now, as research also shows.
2. Canadian Travel
Canada's tourism scene certainly did not slow down in 2018 and only gained more momentum in 2019. It's a shame to visit Canada and not experience - even if only for a few days - its diverse, vibrant, and cosmopolitan cities.
Quebec City has landed the winning spot on the list of best Canadian cities. For its famous monuments (many of which are located in Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site) to its European sensibility and grand hotels (the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac) despite the city's famously frigid winter temperatures.
Vancouver was a runner-up for its walkable streets, multicultural population, and abundance of natural scenery. Stanley Park was where monuments, gardens, and scenic lookouts offer hours of fun.
3. Nomadic Sabbaticals
Instagram is proving a tantalising window into the possibilities of 'nomadic sabbaticals', as demonstrated by the likes of @thebucketlisfamily, @byjetpack, @travelling_family, @courtneyadamo, @nappy_nomad_ and @ohdeardrea.
A nomadic sabbatical is where a traveler disengages from the daily grind and makes the decision to travel the world. This way, starting a family doesn't mean giving up on their dreams of traveling the globe.
By 2020 it's estimated that roughly half the UK and American workforce will be freelance and that 40 percent more children were home-schooled in 2017 than in 2014 (48,000 in total).
4. Solo Travel
Solo travel is on the rise. Not having anyone to travel with is no reason to stay home. While nothing will replace a romantic trip for two, family vacation or jet setting with friends, the thought of adventuring on one's own is liberating.
Agents can expect to see not only a continued rise in the demand from solo travelers, but also a dramatic uptick in the supply of products catering to this market.
The Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) effect among solo travelers is prevailing, according to research by Klook. They long for "insta-worthy" activities to dominate and be curated in their platform.
Which of these trends did you like the most?
