SPECIAL FEATURE: A snapshot of 2023 Travel Trends and What's Coming in 2024

As part of Bdaily’s coverage of World Tourism Day, we hear from Cody Candee, founder and CEO of luggage storage specialist Bounce.

The company recently launched its European HQ in Lisbon, and also has presence in several Portuguese cities including Porto. Cody shared with us his insight on the current state of travel and what to expect from the year ahead. Read on to find out more…

After a turbulent few years, 2023 is a turning point in the world of travel. Following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, people are once again exploring the world with a fresh sense of curiosity and adaptability.

The travel habits of 2023 reflect the lessons learned during the pandemic, changes in the way we work, and evolving consumer preferences. While some pandemic-induced shifts are likely here to stay, travel and tourism trends are slowly returning to how they were before the pandemic. Here’s a look at the main trends we’re seeing:

1. Back to Normal Travel Preferences:

City Escapes: Travellers are heading back to urban destinations, preferring cities over rural or remote areas. This shift is significant, with a 28 per cent increase in tourists choosing cities and urban coasts for vacations from 2020 to 2021, though it hasn’t reached pre-pandemic levels yet.

International Adventures: People are getting more adventurous with international travel. Domestic tourism has already surpassed pre-pandemic levels in the first quarter of the year, with a 1.6 per cent increase compared to 2019. International tourism is also recovering, with a slight 3.3 per cent decline compared to 2019.

2. New Travel Habits That Are Here to Stay:

“Bleisure” Travel: The rise of remote work has led to the blending of business and leisure trips. About 60 per cent of Americans now work from home at least one day a week, making long weekends and city breaks more appealing.

Longer Getaways: Longer stays are gaining popularity, with the average trip duration increasing by 15 per cent since the pandemic. Businesses like Ukio and Flatio have responded to this trend, and Airbnb now offers more extended stay options.

Flexible Booking: Travellers are booking trips later, being more price-conscious, and cautious about last-minute disruptions. In 2023, they seek flexibility in booking and cancellation policies. Many airlines and accommodations have responded with more lenient policies to provide peace of mind.

3. Ongoing Recovery:

The travel industry is steadily recovering, with numbers and year-on-year growth approaching pre-pandemic levels. A return to “normal” is expected within the next year, supported by promising data from Europe, including a 28 per cent increase in nights spent at tourist accommodations in the first three months of 2023 compared to 2022.

According to the European Commission.) the EU tourism industry seems to be strongly rebounding from the pandemic. Nights spent in tourist accommodation in 2022 reached 2.72 billion in 2022 compared with 2.88 billion in 2019. Europe has bounced back the strongest, and is about 90 per cent back to normal.

4. What’s on the Horizon?

Technology in Travel: Travel booking is increasingly involving technology. In 2023, travellers are relying on digital tools and platforms to enhance their experiences. Virtual Reality (VR) travel planning and AI-powered travel assistants are on the rise.

Sustainable Travel: The trend towards eco-friendly and sustainable travel was on the rise. According to Booking.com’s 2023 Sustainable Travel Report, travelers were becoming more conscious of their environmental impact in the past months, leading to a demand for eco-friendly accommodations, transportation options, and activities.

Contactless Travel: Contactless technology is being adopted for various aspects of travel, such as contactless check-in/check-out at hotels, touchless payments, and digital boarding passes to minimize physical contact.

In summary, the travel industry is rebounding, with a return to urban and international travel, as well as the emergence of new trends like “bleisure” trips and longer vacations. While challenges persist, signs of recovery are promising, and a return to pre-pandemic norms is in sight.

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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