Take a Look at These 10 Travel Trends

We’re almost at the halfway mark with 2018, and already some of the more forward-thinking travel agents have noticed increased interest in new forms of traveling. These travel trends are changing the way people traverse the globe. These travel trends show people never stop searching for new ways to see the world.

(Photo by Nancy Zaffaro)

1. “Rustic” Accommodations

Airbnb saw a big jump in bookings for “non-traditional homes” in 2017, and this rise has been continuing well into this year, as travelers shun lookalike accommodation in favor of something more off the beaten path by way of nature lodges, rural cabins and even, occasionally, tree houses. Even campervans and yurts have seen an uptick in interest. Travelers, it seems, are looking for something a bit more memorable than simply moving into someone else’s bedroom for a week.

(Photo by Nancy Zaffaro)

2. Art Tours

Culture vultures everywhere are in for a treat as art tours start to become a regular fixture for visiting aesthetes. For those who find sun tanning on the beach to be insufficiently stimulating for the higher faculties, museum trips and guided street art tours are heating up in cities like Barcelona, Montreal, Berlin and Athens.

(Photo by Nancy Zaffaro)

3. River Cruises

River cruises have enjoyed a boom in interest this year, affording travelers the chance to explore new places via picturesque waterways that offer a far more intimate experience of a country than docking with an oceanic liner could ever hope to offer. It’s nigh impossible to get lost, and more often than not, you’re never far away from a local community where you can drop anchor and see the sights on dry land.

(Photo by Nancy Zaffaro)

4. Experiential Travel

Although something of a buzzword, the current demand for experienced-based adventuring can’t be overlooked and is a definite travel trend. It’s not enough anymore to simply book a break abroad, as travelers are looking for holidays that will proactively engage them with the local culture and environment in a way that will provide them with memories they’ll treasure for a lifetime.

(Photo by Nancy Zaffaro)

5. Wellness Trips

A lot of health-conscious travelers are putting their bodies first when it comes to booking a holiday, looking for trips where they won’t put themselves in situations where they’ll have to compromise their diet or fitness level. This has led to a spike in active holidaying trips involving pastimes like bike touring and mountaineering, and more.

(Photo by Nancy Zaffaro)

6. Event Travel

From sporting events to music festivals and carnivals, event travel has seen a surge of interest. People are keen to get the most out of their time on holiday by killing as many birds with as few stones as possible. As much as anything else, these events provide an opportunity to experience a place when it’s at its best and coming alive as part of a broader celebration of people come together to have a good time.

(Photo by Nancy Zaffaro)

7. Small Town Destinations

Smaller communities have seen an increase in interest, as it seems some adventurers are looking for something a little more tranquil from their travels abroad than the bustle and crowds of a city. Small towns tend to offer all the usual mod cons whilst maintaining a texture and ambiance that are easier to connect with than urban sprawls or raw countryside. They also offer the possibility of a more unique experience than you’re likely to find from more oversubscribed tourist destinations.

8. Solo Travel

Whilst it’s not an especially new concept, solo travel is winning more fans all the time. Solo travelers report that they feel more invigorated by the experience as it offers more challenges to navigate that some people even describe as character building. People really seem to enjoy having to step out of their comfort zone and start engaging with the locals when they’re left on their own.

(Photo by Nancy Zaffaro)

9. Cross-Generational Travel

At the other end of the spectrum, more and more people are choosing to go on holiday with their parents well into adulthood. As an opportunity to rekindle family memories and spend some quality time with family, the appeal of this travel trend is obvious; it allows adults and their older parents a chance to enjoy one another’s company.

(Photo by Nancy Zaffaro)

10. Vege Travel

Vegan and vegetarian travelers aren’t settling for salad and a double portion of fries when they’re on the road anymore. The good news is there are plenty of destinations where the culinary culture embraces meat-free eating, often going back many hundreds of years. Southeast Asia’s Buddhist heritage means vegans will never be far from a delicious meal, while Indian food has an incredible range of vegetarian cooking to enjoy. In the West, Amsterdam was recently voted the most vegan-friendly city in Europe, and Italy’s wealth of sumptuous vegetarian dishes also make it a great spot for diet-conscious gourmands.

(Photo by Nancy Zaffaro)

Travel Trends Come and Go, But ….

While travel trends come and go, it’s also true that none of these travel trends will ever go away. They’ll continue to serve travels. Still, what’s trending means that the travel industry pays attention. And that means more opportunities and better value for you.

For More:

• Intrepid Travel on travel trends
• On our site: Ultimate Guide to AirBnB Hosting
• On our site: Ten Health and Wellness Tips for Frequent Travelers
• On our site: 5 Travel apps to Install on Your Phone

-All photos by Nancy Zaffaro.