Another year and another decade will shortly be coming to an end. Looking ahead, what are the travel trends to expect in 2020 and beyond?
Country coupling
This type of travel is really growing in popularity. Visiting two countries in one holiday is an exciting way to travel, especially in Europe when there can be such a difference in cultures just a few miles apart. But beyond that, many are choosing completely different environments for their country split - think mountains one week, seaside the next, or even a city break followed by a rural escape.
Image Credit: Naval S
Train travel
With people wishing to reduce their carbon footprint and environmental impact, more and more travellers are considering travelling by train, particularly within Europe and the US. This doesn’t necessarily have to mean ‘train’ in the sense of ‘public transport’, however! Holidaymakers are looking for luxurious experiences, first class food and entertainment, and views to match.
Image Credit: Simon Pielow
DNA trips
DNA travel, or ancestral tourism, is growing thanks to the increase in DIY DNA test kits. When the results come through with a genealogical breakdown, people are wanting to take a trip to explore their roots and their heritage. With this new technology so readily available, why not choose your next holiday based on your past?
Image Credit: Gary Campbell-Hall
Literary travel
Various sites are gaining in popularity thanks to their mentions in books, or because of their authors. Book festivals are also another big draw, as are famous libraries. Book a trip to Edinburgh to find the cafe where J.K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter, visit Bath to recognise many scenes from Jane Austen’s works, or fly to Stockholm to check out the sights from Steig Larsson’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Check out the UNESCO Cities of Literature list for more inspiration.
Image Credit: Caitlin Bonnar
Northern Lights trips
The Northern Lights seem to be on everyone’s bucket list at the moment! There are plenty of places to view this natural light show, from Norway, Finnish and Swedish Lapland, and Reykjavik in Iceland, to the other side of the Atlantic in Greenland and Canada - generally in countries which sit between 66°N and 69°N. It’s best to catch a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis between September and mid-April.
Image Credit: Sean O Riordan
Vegan travel
More and more people are going vegan, for animal welfare, health, and climate change reasons, and they’re demanding their holiday providers to meet their needs. This doesn’t just mean an increased demand in vegan restaurants and food choices, but also hotel bath products and soft furnishings (think leather, silk, and feather duvets). This style of travel couples well with the ongoing trend for more environmentally-friendly travel too.
Image Credit: Sue Salisbury
Second city travel
With concerns growing about overtourism, rather than visit the capital or city most thought about, travellers are spreading their wings a little wider and trying the smaller ‘second’ cities instead. Not only are they less crowded, they’re also slightly more friendly on the budget too. Try Seville or Valencia instead of Madrid and Barcelona, Milan or Florence instead of Rome, Marseille or Lyon instead of Paris.
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Culinary trips
Holidaymakers are on the search for hidden gems and local restaurant recommendations for their reservations. Cookery classes where you can learn about the local cuisine and take home recipes from your trip to share with friends are also highly popular, especially now providers such as Airbnb are offering unique experiences provided by locals. Tasting that dish in your own home will later transport you back to that far-away kitchen!
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Pet-friendly travel
Pets are part of the family too! The number of pet-friendly properties is on the rise, as humans choose to take their companions with them. Although you may pay a little extra for the privilege, they’ll enjoy the special pet services available in some locations, including pet spas, room service menus and dog day beds.
Image Credit: Joab Woodger-Smith
Title Image Credit: Andrew (Image Cropped)