Since travelers are always thinking differently and changing their priorities, it follows that their unwinding modes are also transforming.               

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was the travel & tourism segment and the related industrial segments that were most affected. Therefore, post-pandemic it was the tourism-, hospitality-, and other allied industries that experienced a full-scale and speedy transformation to cope with the unprecedented headwinds. The travel & tourism industry continues to reform, the restructuring maximally influenced by factors such as climate change, travellers’ changing priorities, and technological advancements.

This blog walks you through the most recent developments and trends influencing the travel and tourism sector.

Why do travel trends see-saw?

Lifestyle

How travellers and tourists are leading their lives i.e. lifestyle is also heavily influencing global travel trends. For instance, many people, especially baby boomers, millennials, and those belonging to generations X and Z prefer an organic diet. No wonder airlines, hotels, and restaurants are witnessing increased sales of vegan foods and organic foods daily.    

That most individuals nowadays are more health-conscious has led to a spurt in the demand and popularity of medical tourism. Many people, both young and old now travel to countries where the cost of undergoing surgery is within their budgets.

Technology

Technology has always, and continues to play a crucial role in having an impact on the trends affecting the travel business. Rapid strides made in the internet- and broadband technologies haven’t only impacted the tourism industry but also how we make travel plans. Technology’s effects on travel and tourism are so intense and pervasive businesses that don’t go digital are bound to go out of business.

Travel apps, artificial intelligence (AI), the internet of things (IoT), contactless payments and check-ins, VR and AR, and robotics are some state-of-the-art technologies impinging on the travel sector. For instance, virtual- or voice assistants such as Alexa, Bixby, and Siri help holidaymakers and vacationers track travel-related information quickly. Then again IoT technology goes a long way in enabling airports and hotels to furnish high-quality services to customers via connected devices.

Reviewing the current travel trends

Workation: The future of remote and hybrid working?

How companies have traditionally conducted business and employees worked also underwent a sea-change after the pandemic abated. These days working from home and alternating between office and home for work are fast becoming novel employment/operational modes. Employees and professionals are making the most of these innovative ways of functioning that offer them greater leeway in terms of location.

Most importantly, this freedom to work from a place or address one prefers has enabled workers to boost their performance. Alternatively, the flexibility in choosing a location as well as the working hours has led to the evolvement of a new form of vacation workstation.  Before the pandemic, staycations were in vogue that slowly and gradually paved the way for the emergence of workation.

Workation implies that you could now find yourself knee-deep in work even when you’re on a vacation.   

More and more travellers opting to make a solo trip

Recent surveys and studies carried out by the travel and tourism industry in several countries pinpoint that many sightseers prefer to travel solo. Travelling on your own has a few practical benefits, the autonomy to fully personalize your itinerary being one of them. The freedom that you enjoy when you travel alone is not there when you take a trip with your companion or friends. 

Last but not least, you can move quickly in a simple way with far less stuff. 

Local and hyperlocal tourism is fast becoming an established trend

 CX or customer experience matters a lot in the travel and tourism sector as well as the hospitality industry. More and more people are now demonstrating a preference for local and hyperlocal travel rather than opting for traditional vacations.

Eco-tourism: Paving the way towards a sustainable future

The deleterious effects of global warming and climate change have compelled most holidaymakers to adopt eco-friendly practices while on tour. The idea is that travellers don’t want to give the impression that they have a hand in making the polluted environment more endangered. Travellers are now staying in eco-friendly hotels, using recyclable bags, consuming vegetarian food, and commuting in electrified vehicles.

How technology is helping redefine travel and tourism?

Internet of Things

The Internet of Things is a state-of-the-art and versatile technology that has brought about a revolution in many industries, including travel. The travel industry is tapping IoT to the hilt by integrating internet-linked sensors and microprocessors in multiple devices to connect them. IoT-connected or linked devices, popularly referred to as smart devices are helping hotels, airlines, railways, and restaurants to connect better with their patrons.       

Artificial Intelligence

AI technology harnessed by automatons and chatbots facilitates stakeholders in the tourism industry to process unlimited data for personalizing consumers’ experiences. Travel agents, tour operators, hotels, and almost all businesses associated with the travel sector can work more efficiently by taking advantage of AI. Robots and androids help firms and companies to serve a greater number of customers than would’ve been possible with human workers.  

Virtual Assistance

Virtual and/or voice assistants such as Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, and Bixby not only assist travel companies but also travellers. How many times have you directed Alexa to find the most affordable hotels and restaurants in a city that you were planning to tour? Most individuals nowadays use voice assistants for a wide variety of everyday tasks and routine activities.

Augmented Reality

AR technology is now used increasingly to blend, streamline, and fine-tune physical and virtual worlds. Augmented reality is making a mark in the tourism industry, thanks to the technology’s versatility and resourcefulness. If you’ve visited the Taj Mahal or scaled to the top of the Eiffel Tower from the comfort of your home, then you’ve benefited from AR.