WHAT are your travel plans for 2023?
Travelers will be hankering for all-new experiences in the coming year, according to online travel company Expedia.
It has released its 2023 travel report based on a survey of 24,000 respondents across 17 countries in North and South America, Europe, And Asia Pacific.
Expedia dubs 2023 the year of the “no-normal” because travelers are ready for a host of new experiences after adjusting to a series of new normals in 2022.
“In 2023, travelers are ditching the conventional and veering off course for all-new experiences. Prepare for the year of the no-normal,” it said.
It said they no longer want to compromise and are ready for new destinations and to be influenced in new ways. They will do things their way, so there will be no “one size fits all approach.”
This is what travelers will want to see in 2023, it said.
Culture Capitals
Expedia said travelers will want to enjoy the hustle and bustle of cities and urban vibes. They want to be in the middle of the action in these places.
As per Expedia, the cultural capitals to see in 2023, or the fastest-growing destinations, are the following:
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Tokyo, Japan
- Dublin, Ireland
- New York, USA
- Sydney, Australia
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Montreal, Canada
- Munich, Germany
- Bangkok Thailand
TV Tourism
Jet-setters want to visit the sights they see on their favorite TV shows.
Expedia reported that two-thirds of global travelers have considered booking trips to destinations after seeing these on streamed shows or movies. 39 percent have actually booked trips for the same reason.
The top TV-inspired destinations are the following:
- New Zealand and its sweeping landscapes seen in fantasy thrillers
- Great Britain and its stately homes that are the location of historical TV dramas
- Hawaii and its stunning resorts
- Paris and New York and their cosmopolitan scenes
Affordable hotels
Expedia said data from its sister site hotels.com show that a growing number of travelers want affordable accommodation.
They don’t want to use up all their money on one extravagant trip, and want the excitement of a spontaneous, easy trip. This is why they have been looking for affordable three-star hotels, it said.
It said that globally, 35 percent of travelers plan to stay in one- to three- star hotels in 2023, and 38 percent plan to book a vacation with extras such as free breakfast.
Wellness
Almost half, or 46 percent, of global travelers would like to take wellness breaks. And in 2023, they want something unusual.
There has been an increased interest in forest bathing, chakra sessions, food boot camps, puppy yoga, laughter therapy, and fruit harvesting. These are becoming more popular than classic activities such as sports trips, cookery courses, and meditation sessions.
The US was the top wellness break destination in 2022, but younger travelers, or the Gen Zs, opted for Norway, Turkey, Switzerland, Iceland, and Sri Lanka.
Rental places
Travelers looking for rental places to book want cooking amenities, including outdoor kitchens or barbeques, fancy coffee machines, air fryers, and pizza ovens.
Rustic ranches, lodges, and farmhouses are also becoming popular vacation homes, along with beach and mountain destinations.
Off the beaten path
Travelers also want to explore unassuming locales and unfamiliar places. These are for those who want to take their time to immerse themselves in a place with their loved ones.
