Top travel trends to watch out for in 2023

The pandemicrsquos impact on travel wasnrsquot one that can be defined by numbers Being cooped up indoors for an extended period changed not just how much we travelled but also how we travel From a surge in domestic travel to an increased focus on wellness we saw many pandemic travel trends mature over the past couple of yearsEventually amidst the relaxation of restrictions international tourism recovered to prepandemic levels in 2022 Several popular hotspots in Europe and Southeast Asia were flooded with incoming tourists who indulged in what has been termed as the lsquosummer of revenge travelrsquo As travel optimism reaches its peak the question begs what comes after revenge We spoke to industry experts to delve into whatrsquos next for travel in 2023Unique accommodationsAlternative accommodation is one of the fastest growing segments across the globe Leaning into the trend of immersive travel people are opting for accommodations that enable them to blend in the local culture and nature ldquoWhile tree houses and tiny huts are among the top 10 most booked unique listing types on Airbnbndash farm stays take the top spot in India followed by nature eco lodges and huts In 2021 more than 30000 nights were booked in farm stays alone in Indiardquo shares Amanpreet Bajaj general manager for India Southeast Asia Hong Kong and Taiwan at Airbnb Safe to say we can expect to see more ecofriendly earthly stays springing up to accommodate burntout city dwellersCommunity travelWe are increasingly witnessing new travel trends as people increasingly embrace more flexible lifestyles and explore the unknown Communityminded travel is where local residents invite travellers to visit their communities and stay with them either at a homestay or a locally run hotel These stays and experiences are usually hosted and managed by the local communities that helps generate direct economic benefits and help foster more responsible travel that benefits local businesses and jobsBajaj believes a shift towards lesserknown destinations combined with a rise in hostingdriven entrepreneurship in remote locales has given a tailwind to communityminded travel An Airbnbcommissioned research found that an overwhelming 79 per cent of Indian travellers want to travel in ways that positively benefit local communities both economically and socially The research also found that more than twothirds of the Indian respondents said that itrsquos important to them that theyrsquore creating a positive impact for the localsWhat is most significant to note is that more than 60 per cent of people in India are conscious that communities need economic recovery and will factor this into where they travel and how they spend their money These findings align with the growing popularity of community travel across the country Its positive economic impact on local communities is building prosperity and enhanced resilienceLonger stays and workcationsSince the beginning of the pandemic travel has been fundamentally different What started as a largely experimental phase of remote working and increased flexibility has now cemented as a way of life for millions of people Untethered from their offices to varying degrees many have been able to embrace a new form of living and travel thatrsquos encouraging them to broaden their horizons and think beyond the confines of the traditional holiday escape Workcations are becoming increasingly common as many people have turned into digital nomadsldquoThis heightened focus among both travellers and the local communities on flexibility and fresh opportunities has led to a dispersal of travel beyond traditionally popular tourist destinationsrdquo concludes BajajFamily trips and multigenerational bondingAccording to Family Travel Trend survey 2022 published by Agoda four out of five travellers will take a vacation with immediate family in the next 12 months While travelling with friends proves more popular than travelling with extended family still more than half 52 per cent are keen to catch up with relatives for their vacationKrishna Rathi country director for India Sri Lanka and Nepal at Agoda explains ldquoThe survey clearly reveals the desire in many of us to share travel experiences with our loved ones And wersquore not just talking about immediate family as grandparents for example are welcome to tag along too In India almost half 47 per cent of the survey respondents expect to go on at least one trip with extended familyrdquoDitch the comfort zoneThis coming year will see travellers exploring novel destinations in search of different cultures Mr Santosh Kumar country manager for India Sri Lanka Maldives and Indonesia at Bookingcom shares ldquoThe last few years have taught us that travel should not be taken for granted After two years of travel restrictions travellers are feeling overwhelmingly more optimistic about travelling It is encouraging to see Indian travellers exploring different destinations both within India and abroad with a more positive outlook towards travelrdquoAccording to the Travel Predictions 2023 report published by Bookingcom 71 per cent Indian travellers want to experience complete culture shock in 2023 ndash be it travelling somewhere with completely different cultural experiences and languages while 63 per cent expressed a desire to explore lesserknown cities Unsurprisingly this lsquoculture shookrsquo Indian traveller is also partial to throwing caution to the wind with 46 per cent wanting to buy a oneway ticket in 2023 and follow their instinct wherever it takes themValue for money even if offseasonIndian travellers will continue to prioritise travel but will be more mindful over how to make the most of their travel budget and what takes precedence 2023 will see financially savvy itinerary curation at its finest with people planning travel budgets more tightly by taking advantage of deals and smartlytimed travel and prioritising value for money with discounts and loyalty programs According to the Travel Predictions 2023 report 69 per cent of Indian travellers will invest in a vacation as it remains a top priority for them but being budget conscious is the keyWhat is interesting to note is that 69 per cent Indians will look to save money by considering offseason destinations or longer routes on the journey while 72 per cent will be planning travel more in advance in the hope to secure a better dealThe era of virtual travel is hereAs per the Travel Predictions 2023 report 70 per cent Indian travellers said that they will be turning to virtual reality to inspire their vacation choices as travel will enter the everevolving 3D virtual space of the Metaverse in 2023 With over 60 per cent Indians keen to embark on a multiday VR travel experience the Metaverse will be more than lsquotry before you buyrsquo it will educate people opening the door for infinite adventureCurated and personalised experiencesThe trend of personalised experiences continues to go deeper every year as boutique planners provide innovative offerings With pandemic led international travel uncertainties subsiding during the second half of 2022 the Indian traveller will seek novel international locations in 2023 to add to their trip plans In this segment the Indian millennial traveller is no longer happy with cookie cutter trips and wants a personalised trip plan driven by peer recommendations 2023 will see this urge for personalised social travel becoming an even bigger phenomenonrdquo says Ashish Sidhra cofounder of Alikeio a travel tech platformldquoPeople want special customised unique experiences and they want to have about 2 or 3 of these on a triprdquo shares Samyukta Ranganathan founder of Urbanaut a travel app that lists curated recommendations and authentic bookable experiences She insists that innovation and coming up with interesting experiences will be the key in 2023 She further adds ldquoWhile there are too many onetime events people are looking for curated events that they wouldnt be able to get otherwise Our Feast in the Fields in Goa and the Red Fort Night walk in Delhi were among our most popular offerings because of their uniquenessrdquoRead More Travelers place wellness among the top travel trends in 2023