Travelers are set to make 2023 a big year for getting out and exploring the world.
NB: This is an article from Booking.com
Excited about the year ahead, we have conducted extensive research to reveal the travel trends of 2023, including where travelers want to go, their inspirations for traveling, and how budget plays a big role in their plans.
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and stay up to date
As the world adapts to “the new normal” following a period of limited international travel and national lockdowns, travelers are eager to get out and see the world in earnest.
As travel restrictions and Covid testing become a thing of the past, research reveals that 73% of people are more optimistic about travel than they were in 2022. While we head into 2023 in the midst of global economic and political uncertainty, almost three-quarters (72%) said traveling is still worth it.
The most popular types of vacations and experiences in 2023
For many, a change of scenery and a chance to soak in some sun is enough of a reason to go on vacation. However, 2023 is likely to see a shift in why we’re looking to get away, as well as the types of vacations we take.
Peace and pleasure pilgrimages
A vacation is a great way to unwind and relax, but in 2023 many travelers want to take it one step further and use their adventures to treat their minds, bodies and souls. 42% of travelers want to go on a break that focuses on their mental and physical health, including retreats to smooth the processes of pregnancy and menopause. Almost half (44%) want to go on meditation or mindfulness retreats.
Meanwhile, some travelers want to treat their bodies in other ways. Over a third (36%) want to go on an erotic escape and explore new kinks and ways of experiencing pleasure.
36% also revealed they want to try out psychedelic experiences with the help of cannabis or psychedelics like mushrooms or ayahuasca. This means 2023 could see more travelers heading to more countries where certain types of psychedelics are permitted, such as The Netherlands or Brazil.
Virtual reality inspiring travel choices
While the world isn’t ready to embrace sci-fi movie-esque travel just yet, it offers travelers a glimpse of what they can expect to see. 43% will use virtual reality to inspire their choices, with 46% more likely to travel somewhere they otherwise wouldn’t have if they could experience it virtually first.
However, some are keen to spend multiple days in the Metaverse, with over a third (35%) revealing they’d take a multi-day AR or VR travel experience. As haptic feedback technology advances, virtual travelers will soon be able to feel the sand between their toes and the sun on their skin without even having to step outside.
