OPINION: The 7 travel trends to keep an eye on in 2020
It’s an exciting time for the travel and tourism industry. Change and evolution are more fast-paced than ever, with shifting demographics and developing technology giving way to new trends.
Here are seven of the most notable trends that I feel will impact the travel industry in 2020:
1. ‘Bleisure’ travel
The walls separating business and leisure are coming down. With worldwide business travel spend set to reach US$1.4 trillion ($2.1 trillion) by 2020, another trend gaining momentum is ‘bleisure’ travel – the blurring of lines between business and leisure.
Millennials account for a quickly growing portion of the business world, and their love of travel and new experiences will leave an indelible mark on the business travel experience in 2020.
2. Purpose-driven travel
As people come to terms with the rapidly changing and hectic world around us, they are turning to travel as a way to make a positive personal impact with their time and money.
Today, people want to travel with a greater sense of purpose; they want to go somewhere and really make a difference. That can be seen in a variety of ways, from choosing a specific destination because there’s a timely need to support its local economy, to taking a volunteer vacation – a travel segment that continues to grow in popularity.
Purpose-driven travel can also be simple like choosing a specific hotel, product or brand because your money will go to support certain values or causes.
3. Environmental travel
All green travel trends – from sustainable travel methods and locations to volunteer vacations – are on the rise.
Today’s consumer is more environmentally conscious than ever before, and current trends reflect that. Businesses across the travel industry have embraced this trend, which is only set to become more ubiquitous in years to come.
Sustainable tourism specifically has become paramount today, with one in three people looking for a company that is sustainable.
4. Insta-tourism
People love sharing their vacation pictures on their social media, and one of the biggest platforms to share pictures with your friends is on Instagram.
Arguably one of the most influential social media platforms out there right now, Instagram is having a huge impact on the travel industry. In fact, according to a survey conducted by UK company Schofields, more than 40 per cent of respondents under 33 consider “Instagrammability” the most important factor in choosing their holiday destination.
5. DNA trips
Ancestral tourism is on the rise, with companies such as 23andMe and Ancestry.com taking a hold on the travel market with their DNA-based travel opportunities.
The desire to track down our background is overwhelming today. This type of travel is so popular that a recent poll stated that 23 per cent of ‘long-haul- Scotland guests are visiting based upon ancestry alone.
6. Cashless travel
The time when we travelled with wads of cash, traveller’s cheques or exchanged cash at crazy rates isn’t a thing of our too-distant past. And while that is still the case in some countries, technology has facilitated the landscape to change rapidly.
As a society, we no longer need cash in our pockets, especially as we move forward with technologies such as mobile and touch payments.
7. Personalisation
This is all the rage right now. As travel brands and destinations have become more sophisticated in the ways they can collect data about their guests, the key to differentiation is personalisation.
Many forward-thinking brands are going above and beyond in order to convert customer data into actual personalised experiences. We can continue to expect to see that into 2020 and beyond because the sky is the limit when it comes to personalisation.
Mike Flaskey is CEO of a timeshare company Diamond Resorts, and has over 20 years’ experience in senior leadership roles within the travel industry.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Diamond Resorts Mike Flaskey travel trendsLatest News
Voyages celebrates 40 years at Uluru with two new immersive experiences
No plans for celebrating your 40th this year? Here's a hot tip from us.
SkyDeck: The inflight entertainment you could never have imagined
Forget those external cameras you can live stream while in the air... With SkyDeck you can check it out for yourself.
Second Boeing whistleblower dies of ‘mystery infection’
Joshua Dean died from a fast-growing mystery infection on Tuesday.
Aussie winners of American Airlines ‘Sell Your Way to the USA’ announced
Show me the money! For the winners, Sell Your Way to the USA was worth getting involved in.
ANZCRO celebrates 30th with special edition of iconic New Zealand Book
Choice bro! ANZCRO celebrates its 30th with a special edition of its iconic New Zealand Book. Chur!
Room to move at Cairns Harbourside Hotel with ‘spacious’ new family package
Moody teens can eat two-minute noodles while younger brothers and sisters get to eat free with mum and dad. Win, win!
A&K unveils lavish around the world wildlife adventure in private jet
The kind of holiday that if you need to ask the cost, you probably can't afford it.
Flight Centre and Reforest hit one million trees target early
Nice one Flight Centre, we think you've earned an early Friday knockoff.
New cruise options spearhead stacked APT 2025 program
Just in case you thought you were running out of cruise itineraries, APT's here with a fresh batch.
Travel Weekly announces a new team to helm Australia’s No.1 travel trade title
Some shameless self-promotion from us, but we thought you needed to know who's bringing you the news.
IHG reveals plans for Brisbane’s first Kimpton in 2028
Just another reason to book that trip to Brisvegas. But don't jump the gun, it's not open until 2028.
Cruiseabout’s first store in five years opens in Perth
Perth gets a break from being behind the rest of the country with the addition of the first Cruiseabout store.
ATAS complaints process acknowledges non-economic loss
A High Court case win over 'disappointment and distress' on a cruise gone wrong prompts ATIA complaints change.
Cunard previews new Queen Anne
Yep, this one does exactly what it says on the tin.
Bunnik Tours unveils latest expansion to Iceland
Just as the Icelandic vikings did many years ago, Bunnik is expanding into new territories.
Australia’s first glamping retreat turns 25
25th anniversary gifts usually come in silver. Ours comes in the way of a news story.
Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun
If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]
Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull departs
Turnbull hints her new role will see her staying in the tourism and hospitality industry and who can blame her?
DriveAway launches Brit-Euro Blitz campaign
If agents can put the foot down quick enough and get involved, there are some great prizes to be won.
Fly and Stay Free with the Great Southern
Unlike those dodgy scam phone calls you're getting more and more of, there's no strings attached to this deal.
Sober travel and TikTok guide Australian Gen Z trips
Can you call it a sober holiday if you enjoy a few glasses of red on the flight? We think yes.
Travel DAZE Exec Agenda REVEALED: top execs to speak on airline competition
As the industry reels from Bonza's implosion, it is more important than ever to ask the big questions.
TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips
The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]
Skroo says Rex will need deep pockets to fill lost Bonza slots
The door is open for Rex, and anyone else who wants to launch a regional Aussie airline...
Sno’n’Ski Holidays unveils 2025 mega famil to Colorado!
Let the games begin - this is certainly not a famil that you will want to miss!
Walk Japan launches Kyoto: Mountains to the sea walking tour
There are two types of people, one who enjoys walking on holiday and another who enjoys sipping Mojitos by the pool.
Which destination had a 48% boost in bookings following 10 MILLION TikTok views?
Here's a clue: it's not Malabar Beach.
Asher Telford appointed General Manager of SeaLink Whitsundays
Telford has plenty of reasons to smile after SeaLink doubles down and makes him GM after buying his tourism operation.
Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak
Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]
Hilton Expands Presence in North Queensland with the signing of Hilton Garden Inn Townsville
Heading to a North Queensland Cowboys clash? Hilton Garden Inn Townsville is set to open, but not until 2026.
Rail Europe ANZ: making dream journeys come true
Rail Europe's running a lottery! You're not going to win millions, but you might just snag a free holiday.
UPDATE: Bonza hole deepens as administrators investigate financial affairs
Administrators dig deeper as struggling airline unlikely to be revived.
Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa
Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]
Nielsen Data reveals brands spending big to attract Aussie tourists
Trip A Deal, Virgin and Ignite Travel walk into a bar, blow their cash on travel advertising instead of the pokies.
Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]
Jetstar offers 200,000 return for free flights to celebrate 20th anniversary
Jetstar hits 20 and everyone else gets the presents with free return flights to domestic and international destinations.