Discover the next big thing in travel.

One thing that won't change in our changing world, is that people will still want to travel. Our travel needs, behaviors and wants all continue to evolve. Multi-generational vacations and satisfying wanderlust come up big in the annual travel forecast. Shifting demographics and developing technology create brand-new travel trends. 2020 will be a year fueled by technology all the while with a growing sense of responsibility and deeper connection with the people and places we visit.

Businesses who study key travel trends and take advantage of them will thrive in this dynamic environment. Staying on top of travel trends is important for any business in the travel industry. Some travel trends indicate the direction of the industry as a whole.

1. Paris

Paris has a string of big openings next year. The hotel Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle is due to launch next spring. The 14-bedroom luxury hotel will exhibit an 18th century style.

Cheval Blanc at La Samaritaine, also promises luxury interiors by designer Peter Marino. It is designed to feel like an exclusive private apartment.

Bulgari Hotel, which will have 76 rooms, a 25-meter pool, bar and restaurant, and a Parisian courtyard, is due to open early 2020.

Monsieur George is also opening in Paris early next year with a sense of old-world glamour and oozing with 'sensual elegance' by Anouska Hempel.

2. Country coupling

Trips that mix multiple countries, especially with varied experiences are trending. Travelers may pair a ski adventure with a beach vacation or a city stay with a jungle adventure.

3. Insta-tourism

According to the National Geographic, Instagram has more than 500 million active users daily sharing an average of 85 million photos a day. Instagram has a huge effect on travelers. Posts are saturated with selfie-snapping socialites sharing their perfect travel experiences. 40% of Instagram users under 33 (Travelation) actually voted that 'Instagrammability' was one of their top factors in selecting a vacation destination. There has been substantial increases in tourism boards after hiring Instagram Influencers. However, overcrowding, environmental degradation, and dangerous photo taking stunts surface as a result.

4. Traveling as a force of good

Travellers are also actively looking to make the world a better place by collecting plastic rubbish on a kayak around Lan Ha Bay in Vietnam (which will later be turned into eco bricks) or taking part in a cooking class in Goreme that supports women's incomes.

5. Tech-spect the unexpected

Applications of Artificial Intelligence offering tailored suggestions of destinations to visit is expected.
The coming year will see inventive technology inspiring and enabling us to overcome decision-making hurdles while traveling with ease.

Almost six in 10 (59%) people who say they want tech to offer them 'wildcard' and surprise options that would introduce them to something entirely new in 2020. Almost half (46%) of global travelers state they will use an app that makes it fast and easy to explore and book activities in real-time while traveling, and 44% plan to use an app that allows them to pre-plan activities, so they always have the answers in one place. 

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