2022 was the year where we tentatively headed back out into the world, finally using those thrice-deferred plane tickets or booking a country house with pals and schlepping up bottles of wine and pots of Pringles. And as we wave goodbye to what has been, let's face it, a very odd 12 months, we're looking ahead to the holidays we might take in 2023 (‘might’ being the operative word there thanks to the cost of living crisis).
And though money is tight, many of us would prefer to forgo nights out and new clothes in favour of travelling somewhere, and for 2023, travellers are ditching the conventional and veering off course for all-new experiences. Yep, Prepare for the year of no normal, according to the 2023 travel trends from Expedia Group. These trends have surged popularity in the last year and are predicted to continue growing over the next 12 months, according to search data and research of over 2,000 consumers.
So, let's all just get through Christmas and then we pack our bags and enjoy a break that doesn't involve arguing over Monopoly and sharing a room with our snoring nan.
Alternative getaways such as sylvotherapy (forest bathing), fruit harvesting, and body therapies such as cryotherapy are increasingly more popular than classics such as cookery courses, sports trips and meditation sessions. Almost a third (31%) have become ‘bored’ with traditional wellness trips and want to try something more exciting at the most unusual wellness retreats.
Une tres chic vacances!
Travellers are no longer planning just one big blow-out expedition. They want the excitement of a spontaneous, easy trip, prompting a boom in more affordable three-star hotel stays. Travellers
might be browsing luxuriously but are booking affordably, according to Hotels.com data.
Hotels.com data shows interest is up by more than 20% globally in three-star and under hotels, emphasising the rise in the mighty lower-starred stays. In 2023, 39% of UK travellers plan to stay in 1–3-star hotels and 28% plan to book a holiday with added value inclusions, such as toiletries or free breakfast.
Travellers are ready to enjoy the hustle and bustle of cities and experience urban vibes.
Among the world’s culture capitals are cities rich with unforgettable experiences and celebrations. Visit Edinburgh to enjoy the world’s largest arts and media festival or Sydney to celebrate World Pride, coming to the city for the first time in February 2023. Cities such as Edinburgh, Lisbon and Tokyo were top of Expedia’s global top 10 destination list for 2023.
Picturesque towns, crystal clear waters and over 1000 islands.
Adventure-seekers are turning to captivating TV locales for their next-big-trip inspiration. Get ready for the Set-Effect. The top TV-inspired destinations include New York (Inventing Anna, Sex
and the City), New Zealand (The Lord of the Rings, The Rings of Power) and the UK (Bridgerton, The Crown). 44% admitted that TV has inspired their travel planning and 37 per cent have booked a trip after seeing it featured on TV or in a movie on a streaming service.
37% would rather book a unique holiday home in a lesser-known destination. The top 10 hidden UK gems – where demand has increased by 40% or more included:
- Cambridgeshire, England
- Leicestershire, England
- Hertfordshire, England
- Buckinghamshire, England
- South Ayrshire, Scotland
- East Lothian, Scotland
- Monmouthshire, Wales
- Tyne and Wear, England
- Midlothian, Scotland
- Bath and North East Somerset, England
They say the kitchen is the heart of the home; in 2023, it’s the heart of the holiday home, too. Staying in, cooking and enjoying meals together may be cost savvy, but travellers are not compromising on getting the best seats in the house on their next trip. 60% of UK travellers looking for rentals with family and friends say that a well-equipped property with great amenities matters as much or more than the destination. The most wanted cooking amenities are outdoor kitchens, fancy coffee machines, pizza ovens and air friers. More than 50% said cooking helps them to cut down on holiday costs.
By cooking in their holiday home instead of eating out or getting takeout, UK travellers plan on saving £417 on average on their next trip.
Rustic getaways are on the rise, as travellers across the world crave private holiday homes with abundant space and breath-taking views. Cue the hay-cation, offering an intimate escape to experience a more authentic wild countryside life. Travellers are booking converted barns and farmhouses in the countryside of Italy, Spain and France, as well as further afield, with ranches in the US and farmhouses in the Australian outback being popular choices. In the UK, demand for destinations offering many converted barns like Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire and Hertfordshire increased by more than 50%.
We've found a collection of data-backed tips to save travellers time and money on flights.
