Seven predictions for travel in 2023 according to Booking.com
According to Booking.com’s survey, travel in 2023 will be disruptive in seven ways. It even gives tips on how accommodation units could benefit. Seven predictions for travel in 2023 according to Booking.com
Worldwide, travellers remain optimistic that they will be able to fulfil their travel plans in 2023. According to Booking.com’s annual survey, 73% are more confident than in 2022.
72% of respondents say travel is always a valuable part of life, regardless of the global challenges. Yet, despite this, 43% say they will spend less money to compensate for the lost travel opportunities.
To understand how travel will be redefined in 2023, Booking.com questioned over 24,000 travellers in 32 countries and territories.
The following are the seven most essential predictions for travellers in 2023:
A certain amount of technology disconnect desired by travellers
Travellers (55%) want to escape everyday life on their vacations in 2023 by disconnecting from technology. However, more authentic travel experiences are desired by almost half (44%) of travellers. Furthermore, 58% are interested in learning survival skills like finding drinking water (53%) and lighting a fire without a tool (42%).
Trips outside of cities may increase as a result. Guests tend to prefer accommodations that offer the experiences they request.
Despite these desires, travellers still want amenities. Regarding travelling without technology, most travellers (48%) will only consider it if they have essential amenities. A mobile phone and internet connection are deemed crucial by the majority (53%) of respondents.
Recommended advice for accommodation suppliers:
According to Booking.com, greener accommodations will become more popular as travellers look to escape from cities and reconnect with nature. As a result, travellers will look for accommodations with sustainable practices.
There is a desire among travellers to push themselves to the limit
Local tours are becoming more and more popular. In destinations with a different culture than their own, tourists are looking for authentic experiences. The prediction is that 73% of respondents will be looking forward to a trip to a place that will challenge their limits.
In 2023, half of the respondents (50%) want to live a completely different cultural reality. It could be new cultural experiences or languages (51%). Exploring lesser-known “hidden gem” destinations (30%)).
Recommended advice for accommodation suppliers:
According to Booking.com, properties should highlight their unique features. Make travellers feel at home by introducing them to the traditions, cuisine, exciting adventures, or anything else that can make their stay unforgettable.
Reminiscences and family time
Travellers in 2023 will prefer trips that have a nostalgic feel, according to predictions. Old-fashioned school bus trips and visits to film locations are some examples. However, almost a quarter of travellers (23%) want to relive the romance of analogue times (pre-digital era). All Millennials and Gen Zers, even those who have never lived through this era!
The Millennial generation is now becoming parents. So they’ll be the first to book themed accommodations that transport them to their favourite period. In other words, popular destinations in the 1980s and 1990s are likely to return. The platform’s list of emerging destinations for 2023 includes Budva in Montenegro and Bolzano in Italy.
Family travel is a dream for many people—family trips are considered by 54% of families.
Recommended advice for accommodation suppliers:
Offer competitive prices for children if you want to attract family bookings. A more flexible and transparent approach attracts visitors. According to Booking, family bookings increase by up to 15%.
Enhancing travellers’ health by travelling
Travel is often associated with wellness, and in 2023 travellers intend to take advantage of this opportunity.
Within the following year, almost half of travellers (44%) plan to book meditation and mindfulness retreats. In addition, approximately 42% of respondents wish to take a “health break” to improve their mental or physical health or deal with major life milestones such as pregnancy or menopause. There are even two in five (40%) who are interested in booking a silent retreat.
Recommended advice for accommodation suppliers:
Spas or gyms are wellness facilities you can highlight. Also, consider partnering with local businesses offering your guests wellness services.
Travellers are rethinking their budgets
Even though many travellers are willing to spend more to make up for travel experiences they missed out on in years past, the current economic climate is forcing them to look for value. As a result, travellers in 2023 will pay more attention to their travel budget.
In 63% of cases, travellers use their limited budget to take advantage of deals or travel during specific periods. A majority of consumers look for deals outside of peak times. A reduction in short city escapes is also expected. One or two longer trips get the best value out of a travel budget for 55% of travellers, according to the platform.
Sixty-one per cent of travellers will plan their trips even earlier in hopes of finding a better deal, while 60% will take advantage of discounts and rewards programs to save even more.
Recommended advice for accommodation suppliers:
Join Genius Partners to attract budget-conscious travellers. After deducting the discount, partners participating in Genius drive 70% more impressions in search results, 45% more bookings, and 40% more revenue.
If you want to ensure early bookings for off-peak periods, update your availability so that your property appears in search results.
The number of travellers willing to take business trips but not working while on vacation in 2023
Although remote work allows people to work from wherever they want, many places strict restrictions on when and where they can work. For example, in 2023, two-thirds (66%) want their travel unrelated to their jobs.
However, an exception can be made for purely business trips. Half (49%) of travellers do not want to work on vacation but would be willing to join a corporate excursion or business trip.
Respondents hope for corporate group travel. According to 51% of workers, their employers should spend the money saved by switching to hybrid/remote work models on company travel or excursions. In addition, 44% want to take part in “real life” business trips to connect with others.
Recommended advice for accommodation suppliers:
Showcase the amenities and facilities that a corporate trip requires if you want to attract business. A strong WiFi connection, meeting rooms, and dedicated workspaces are all examples of such amenities. Furthermore, you may offer various valuable services, such as invoicing and on-site printing.
Virtual reality technology is attracting a great deal of interest from travellers.
There was a time when only a small group of people interests in topics such as the metaverse and virtual or augmented reality. Still, now they are attracting the attention of many people.
By 2023, 43% of global travellers will use virtual reality to get travel ideas. Also, 46% say they are more likely to visit destinations they otherwise wouldn’t consider if they hadn’t seen them in virtual reality.
Most travellers (60%) think experiences like these need to be more satisfying to motivate them to visit the destinations themselves, despite the metaverse offering a new way to travel. As a result, it seems unlikely that they will replace actual travel any time soon.
Recommended advice for accommodation suppliers:
Even though travellers don’t expect to experience a whole VR experience, investing in high-quality photos and virtual tours will help potential guests visualize themselves there. You can also highlight your property’s unique features.
The research profile from Booking.com
Booking.com conducted the 2023 Travel Forecasts survey on adults who plan to travel for work or pleasure in the next 12-24 months. The survey involved 24,179 participants from 32 countries and regions. In August 2022, respondents completed an online survey.
Remember to register for our newsletter at the bottom of our page and visit our special holiday offers!
Photo by charlesdeluvio on Unsplash
