Travelling is back in the spotlight, and travellers are eager to make up for lost time in 2023. American Express’s latest survey reveals that many respondents have four or more vacations planned this year to make up for time lost to the pandemic. This trend is a result of four key travel trends that are influencing travellers’ choice of destination.
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Pop culture and social media have played a significant role in inspiring people to travel to places they see on-screen, a trend called “Set-Jetting.” Asia is a preferred continent for many travellers, particularly Gen Z and millennial travellers, with Hong Kong being one of the most popular destinations. Food is also a significant draw for many travellers, with trying local cuisines being the part of travelling they look forward to the most.
Another trend is the rise of restorative vacations, with travellers prioritizing self-care and mental and physical health. And finally, travellers are eager to discover hidden gems and support the local communities they are visiting.
Here are some key takeaways from American Express’s 2023 Global Travel Trends Report:
- 30% of respondents have four or more vacations planned this year to make up for time lost to the pandemic.
- Pop culture and social media are inspiring people to travel to places they see on-screen, like Italy, Paris, and London.
- Food is a significant draw for many travellers, with trying local cuisines being the part of travelling they look forward to the most.
- Restorative vacations are on the rise, with travellers prioritizing self-care and mental and physical health.
- Travellers are eager to discover hidden gems and support the local communities they are visiting.
- Asia is a preferred continent for many travellers, particularly Gen Z and millennial travellers, with Hong Kong being one of the most popular destinations.
It’s clear that travellers are eager to make up for lost time in 2023. They are influenced by a range of factors, from pop culture and social media to food and wellness. Travellers are also eager to support local communities and discover hidden gems, making travel more sustainable and responsible.
American Express’s survey highlights the importance of personalization in travel. Travellers are prioritizing personalized itineraries built around their passions, from planning an entire vacation for a single dinner reservation to getting the perfect video for their social media.
Overall, 2023 is shaping up to be a year of travel, with travellers eager to explore new destinations and make up for lost time. As the world reopens, travel is once again a top priority for many people, and they are ready to embrace all that it has to offer.
Conclusion
- Travellers are looking to make up for lost time in 2023, with 30% of respondents having four or more vacations planned this year.
- Four key trends are influencing travel destination choices: “set-jetting”, delicious destinations, wellness vacations, and off-the-beaten-path destinations.
- More than half of travellers from countries like the US, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Japan, India, and the UK plan to take more trips this year and spend more money on travel.
- For many travellers, a dream vacation is a higher priority than purchasing a new luxury item, with 84% of Gen Z and millennials preferring travel and 79% prioritizing travel when setting their budgets.
- Hong Kong remains a popular destination for travellers, particularly among Gen Z and millennial travellers who are drawn to personalised itineraries built around their passions.
- Pop culture and social media heavily influence travel destination choices, with 75% of young travellers inspired by social media and 70% inspired by TV shows, news sources, or movies.
- Food is a major draw for travellers, with 81% looking forward to trying local cuisines and 66% of Gen Z and millennials getting eating-while-traveling inspiration from social media.
- Prioritizing self-care is leading to a rise in restorative vacations, with 73% of respondents planning vacations to better their mental, physical, and emotional health this year.
- Travellers want to discover hidden gems and support local communities, with 85% hoping to experience the local culture and 78% interested in going on vacations that support local communities in 2023.
You can access the complete American Express Travel 2023 Global Travel Trends Report here.