With the New Year on the horizon, the poor winter weather, and the dark evenings drawing in, thoughts turn to 2019 and what holiday adventures await us. There are some key trends which look set to become (even more) popular in the New Year.
Foodie holidays
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Foodie escapes are expected to grow in popularity next year. What could be nicer than travelling abroad and getting to sample the best of the authentic, local cuisine? There are many organised tours available to help you explore new destinations or rediscover another aspect of an old favourite, whilst exploring a region’s unique produce, visiting its lively markets, and tasting local delicacies. Try starting with the vineyards of Alsace, the culinary offerings of Sicily, or the gastronomic Basque region, home to nearly thirty Michelin-starred restaurants.
Instagrammable destinations
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In today’s world with the expansive spread of social media and free roaming charges in the EU, sharing photos with friends and family online is part of the norm - and also a somewhat competitive hobby, especially among millennials and Gen Z. There are many, beautiful locations and unforgettable experiences worldwide that tick all the boxes for stunning photography and will really give travellers the ability to send home those superb shots; take a look at the Bamboo Forest in Kyoto, Japan, Lake Bled in Slovenia, or Chefchaouen in Morocco to really get in the mood for your next trip.
Undertourism
Image Credit: William Warby
Many countries throughout the world are suffering from “overtourism”. A density index figure can be calculated based on a comparison between the number of tourists to the local population, but the real problems can be seen more tangibly in the likes of Venice, Amsterdam, and Barcelona, where the cities struggle with increasing tourist numbers and the everyday lives of locals are made unbearable. Croatia, Iceland, Hungary, Denmark, and France are at the top of the list for suffering with overtourism.
The under 40s are making a move towards a more responsible approach to their holidays, and are moving off the beaten track to try something more adventurous. Certain “undertouristed” countries, where the tourist-to-population ratio falls under 5%, are set to become more popular in 2019. The top countries for undertourism are Tanzania, Papua New Guinea, Kenya, and Indonesia, but Iran, Colombia and China also rank highly as becoming the next travel hotspots. Go off radar and try something new.
Conscious travel
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Linked with responsibility towards sustainable tourism, as mentioned above, and with the attention drawn to single-use plastics as a result of the BBC’s Blue Planet II series, ecotourism and conscious travel are favoured choices for 2019 - particularly among the millennial and Gen Z age groups.
Among others, www.responsibletravel.com lists numerous holidays for the environmentally-conscious traveller, including a handicraft holiday in Puglia, Italy, which eliminates all plastic in single-use form. Some tour operators are working really hard to ban this on their trips.
Many travellers are also thinking with a social conscience when picking their holiday destinations, considering everything from human rights, equality, and working conditions to how LGBT+ friendly a destination is and how women travelling alone are supported. Holidaymakers today are also choosing not to go to a particular destination if they feel it will cause a negative impact to people who live there, and such conscientious decisions are set to become paramount in vacation trends in 2019.
Microtrips
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Travellers are reporting that they plan to take more weekend trips, making 2019 the year of bite-sized travel. Thanks to improvements in flight routes, a wide availability of accommodation, and diverse budget travel options, microtrips with curated itineraries and short timeframes will grow in popularity next year. With the growth in unique accommodation for short breaks, such as yurts, houseboats, and castles, get online to find your next trip!
City-beach breaks
Image Credit: South African Tourism
City breaks remain as popular as ever, but in 2019, holiday hotspots that allow travellers to combine the best of culture and history with a beach holiday look to be go-to destinations. Get the perfect balance between exploring the city streets for the morning and relaxing on a sun lounger for the afternoon! Durban in South Africa, Miami and Chicago in the States, and Dubai in the UAE would be great places to start your summer city break searches.
Solo travel
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Travelling alone is a trend to watch in 2019. Some of the fastest growing hotspots for solo travel include Thailand, Peru, Sydney, Cancun, Ho Chi Minh City, and Cologne. There are many tour operators out there which are expanding into this solo travel market, making sure that holidaymakers can explore the globe in a safe but rewarding manner, gaining freedom and fostering genuine interactions with local people. Volunteering and skills-based holidays are favourite options for this type of break, even extending into international work placements for those looking for purpose and personal fulfilment. Take the plunge and try going solo in 2019!
Watch out for our forthcoming blogs in which we’ll explore these trends further.
Title Image Credit: Steffan Jensen (Image Cropped)