Cultural festivals and more hotel amenities are a few of the travel trends for 2023: report

Following the pandemic, our desire to travel the world remains the same, but the way we do has changed.

That’s according to a new report released by the Expedia Group, sharing a global view of the expected new travel trends across the industry in 2023.

“We’re seeing a surge in trips to culture capitals, a new wave of interest in wellness retreats and a spike in demand for outdoor destinations beyond just beaches and mountains,” says president of Expedia Brands, Jon Gieselman, referring to the unexpected travel trends as not the ‘new normal’ but the ‘no normal.’

The company collected data across popular travel booking sites Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo, ultimately highlighting the contemporary appetites of those looking to visit new destinations next year.

Beyond the expected trend of vacationing to spots we see on social media, streaming platforms now serve as a travel catalog to those looking to getaway. More than 60 per cent of Canadian travellers are considering visiting destinations featured in a series or movie, with 27 per cent confirming that they’ve already done so.

And with cultural festivals back in action, we’re seeing a shift from planning nature hikes to planning street mingling activities. Visiting large cities is making a comeback with the majority of jetsetters looking to visit capitals like Sydney for WorldPride, or Edinburgh for the annual Fringe Festival in August.

The desire for activity is also reflected in the new wave of wellness, according to the travel company’s newest data.

“Almost half (45 per cent) of travellers are more open to wellness breaks than ever before but cite boredom with traditional wellness retreats and an urge to experience something more exciting in 2023,” reads their release.

With inflation tightening the pockets of many across the globe, it’s no surprise we are looking for accommodations with value, showing that next year 40 per cent of Canadians plan to book a getaway with amenities like free breakfast or toiletries, with 28 per cent of those looking to reserve with 1-3 star hotels.

The group confirms that there is a lot more optimism for the travel industry this year since 2020, with a keen eye on the full return of international and business travel.

“In fact, more than half (51 per cent) in the industry say business is their organization’s highest priority in 2023.”