The most popular travel destinations in 2018 according to booking.com

The most popular travel destinations in 2018 according to booking.com

Booking.com experts combined the results of the analysis of 128 million guest reviews with research surveys of 19,000 travelers from 26 fears of the world and provided a forecast of the main travel trends in 2018.

1. At the turn of new technologies

In 2018, new technologies will take the “presence effect” to a new level, thanks to which it will become even easier to choose the direction for travel and housing. Artificial intelligence and digital technologies influence how users prepare for the journey, as well as what it will be like. Almost a third (29%) of travelers worldwide admit that they feel comfortable when a computer plans their upcoming trip for them based on their travel history, and for half (50%) it does not matter whether they communicate with a real person or a computer - the main thing is to answer their questions. More than half (64%) would like to take a virtual tour of a property before booking, and 50% find travel offers tailor-made for them to motivate them to book. In 2018, technology will make it even easier to make choices, which will positively impact the guest travel experience.

2. From dream to reality

45% travelers have a list of places they want to visit in their lifetime, and 82% plans to cross at least one item off the list in 2018. In the new year, the desire to make unforgettable discoveries will only grow - on the scales with material values and new impressions, the advantage is in favor of the latter. In 2018, travelers will take every opportunity to travel.

Almost half of the travelers (47%) in 2018 are planning to see one of the wonders of the world. More than a third (35%) want to try local delicacies, 34% want to go to a paradise island and the same number (34%) want to go to a famous amusement park. Booking.com users advise fans of extreme sports to visit amusement parks in Orlando (USA), Gold Coast (Australia) and Dubai (UAE). Also in 2018, travelers plan to visit a unique cultural event (28%), learn something new (27%), take a long car or train trip (25%) and visit a remote corner of the earth (25%).

 3. Retro is back in trend

In addition to new discoveries in 2018, travelers will return to their favorite childhood places. A third of travelers (34%) think about visiting the places they vacationed when they were young.

The popularity of such destinations is due to the nostalgia and happiness associated with it. Family holidays evoke the warmest feelings, surpassing even memories of first love or pets. Millennials turned out to be more sentimental in this matter - 44% travelers aged 18 to 34 years old would like to return to their favorite places of childhood. Their friends and acquaintances will definitely find out about such trips from social networks: in 2018, 60% of those surveyed are going to post travel posts every day.

4. Influence of popular culture

Travel inspiration is literally in the air. Travel destinations can be based on interests and preferences, from culture and entertainment to cuisine and history. In 2018, TV programmes, movies, sporting events and especially social media will increasingly influence choice. From blogs or YouTube videos, 39% travelers will get travel ideas in 2018, and what they see on TV, in a movie or a music video will influence 36%. 22% travelers will go to a large-scale sporting event - 43% of them are thinking of spending the summer at the World Cup in Russia.

In 2018, 29% travelers dream of visiting Croatia, Spain and Iceland, inspired by the views of these countries in the TV series Game of Thrones. 21% fans of the series Sherlock and 13% of the TV series The Crown want to go to London, 13% of the Billionaires viewers want to go to New York and Manhattan, and 10% of the TV series The Handsome to Los Angeles.

5. On the road to recovery

Interest in wellness tourism will increase: in 2018, almost twice as many respondents are going to go on wellness trips than in 2017 (if in 2017 it was every tenth, then in 2018 - almost every fifth). Hiking will be especially popular: in 2018, 56% respondents are going to do it.

Other activities that will be of interest to travelers in 2018 include trips to spa resorts (33%), cycling (24%), water sports (22%), detox tours (17%), yoga tours (16%), running (16%) and meditation (15%). The popularity of such trips is explained by the desire of people to get new emotions and sensations, and not by craving for material things (59% respondents agreed with this). 55% respondents admitted that health trips help them make the right life decisions.

6. Economic flair

Every year travelers become more and more experienced, especially in terms of value for money. When booking tickets and accommodation, a significant part of people are guided by their cost, and in 2018 this trend will continue. Almost half of the respondents (47%) will take into account the exchange rate when planning their trips, almost the same number of respondents (48%) will take into account the economic situation in the country they are going to visit. The good news for retailers is that a third of travelers (30%) plan to do more duty free shopping and one in four (26%) want to travel purely for shopping.

Tourists are increasingly guided by their own intuition: more than half of respondents (57%) want to be more independent in terms of travel in 2018, make independent decisions, look for the best deals and make their own travel plans. 44% respondents are going to use mobile applications and other technologies for this: for example, geolocation to get to their place of residence, or programs for planning leisure activities on a trip.

7. More fun together

2018 will be the year of group travel. The number of respondents planning to travel with friends increased from 21% in 2017 to 25% in 2018. New impressions sometimes depend not only on the place, but also on the company. Trips with friends help you escape from household chores, relieve stress and get to know the cultures of different countries. Group travel also saves money: four out of ten respondents (42%) indicated that they could stay in more expensive accommodation when traveling with friends.

8. Feel like a local

In 2018, private rentals will become especially popular – not only among travelers who want to book it, but also among owners who want to rent out their house or apartment to guests. One in three travelers (33%) would rather stay in these properties than hotels, and one in five (21%) are considering renting out their accommodation on online booking sites.

Travelers want to see local experts as hosts, but they don't have to accompany the guest all the time. For 25% respondents, it is important that the owner can recommend cafes, restaurants and other interesting places in the city. In 2018, guests expect hosts to be available to help with necessary issues, but not intrusive (30%), and 10% of those surveyed would prefer not to interact with them at all.

Payne Reivers, CEO of Booking.com Marketing says:

As technology advances, so does the travel industry. Technology helps us organize the perfect trip and visit new places while keeping our plans flexible. We work for our guests and design our products with their needs in mind - from finding a place to stay to the trip itself. In the coming year, we will continue to develop, taking into account new trends and expectations of our customers, in order to provide them with the best service.

Source http://prohotelia.com