Thinking of taking a trip this 2023, but not sure where you would like to go? Or do you have a destination in mind and wonder how many other travelers will be heading there, too? Well, the people at Expedia Group are sharing travel trends for 2023 sourced from first-party data and custom research of thousands of travelers as well as industry professionals across 17 countries.
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“When we look at Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo data together, we see a detailed and robust picture of travel into 2023,” said Jon Gieselman, president at Expedia Brands. “We’re seeing a surge in trips to culture capitals, a new wave of interest in wellness retreats, and a spike in demand for outdoor destinations beyond just beaches and mountains—not a new normal but people branching out to unexpected trends in what we’re calling the ‘no normal.’” Check out the travel trends for 2023 and see which of them appeal to you.
Set-Jetters: Destinations for movie and TV series lovers.
Booking a trip after binging a popular new series promises to be big in 2023. Expedia research confirms that streamed movies and TV shows are now the top sources of travel inspiration. And what destinations would a “set-jetter” visit? New Zealand, with its landscapes featured in Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power, one of the year’s most epic series, followed by the UK, Paris, New York, and the beach resorts of Hawaii. Just don’t stay at the White Lotus because people tend to die there.
Culture Capitals to visit in 2023.
Arts and culture festivals are back, like the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland, WorldPride in Sydney, and the cherry blossom festival in Tokyo. Check out the following culture capitals in 2023:
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Tokyo, Japan
- Dublin, Ireland
- New York, US
- Sydney, Australia
- Dubai, UAE
- Montreal, Canada
- Munich, Germany
- Bangkok, Thailand
Three-star superstar hotels are hot.
Travelers are seeking smarter ways to see the world without compromising on comfort or the cool factor. In the US, almost a third of travelers are more concerned with value for money than ever before. Hotels.com data shows interest is up more than 20% globally in three-star hotels. Why? Well, it could be because travelers would rather go on more trips in three-star properties than splurge on one big luxury getaway.
Also, keep in mind that fewer stars do not mean lower standards. Many properties, such as Una Vida in Mexico or Mama Shelter in Paris, offer excellent amenities, stylish interiors and one-of-a-kind vibes as standard.
A new wave of wellness travel is on the horizon.
More than half of Americans are seeking wellness breaks, but want something exciting and are seeking out alternative wellness getaways. To fulfill those desires, hotels like the Loire Valley Lodge in France and Whitepod in Switzerland are offering advanced rejuvenation programs and hands-on activities that encourage travelers to get up close and personal with nature.
Travelers want hotels that aren’t just for sleeping.
It’s not just about the destination anymore, the hotel now needs to be a part of the destination and enhance the experience, which is why new hotels offer far more than a place to sleep, with destination restaurants, co-working spaces, and beautiful interiors. These are the some of the most exciting hotels to have on your radar for the year ahead:
- La Palma | Capri, Italy
- 100 Princes Street | Edinburgh, UK
- Ikos Odisia | Corfu, Greece
- Celestial Suites | Kefalonia, Greece
- 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay | Princeville, Kauai, Hawaii
- Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo | Tamarindo, Mexico
- Alila Kothaifaru Maldives | Maldives, Indian Ocean
- Six Senses | Rome, Italy
- Atlantis The Royal | Dubai, UAE
- art'otel London Battersea Power Station | London, Great Britain
Travelers want foodie-menities.
Kitchen credentials are a must, with travelers looking to cook their own meals in a private vacation home. Outdoor kitchens, pizza ovens, and air fryers are the top three foodie-menities travelers want, which isn’t surprising since almost half of US travelers want to cook to keep costs down while they travel. So, when booking a home rental for your vacation, don’t forget to check out the food-menities.
Rustic getaways are on the rise.
Travelers are seeking out private vacation homes with lots of outdoor space and amazing views. Demand for Vrbo homes in US western destinations increased by more than 30% from September 2021 to August 2022.
Travelers can live out their western fantasies by booking a luxurious lodge, ranch retreat, or farmhouse that fits the whole crew in Montana, Colorado, and other western states, or visit a home on the range in Italy, Spain, France, the UK, or Australia.
Explore hidden gems.
Travelers actively looking for hidden gems in unassuming locales. Top hidden gems in the US have beautiful lakes, where travelers can peacefully take in the views. Demand for Vrbo’s private vacation homes in the following of these unconventional destinations has increased by 30% or more since September 2021:
- Nampa, Idaho
- Greensboro, North Carolina
- Layton, Utah
- Irmo, South Carolina
- Oneonta, New York
- Hampton, Virginia
- Bristol, Rhode Island
- Spokane, Washington
- Las Cruces, New Mexico
- Missoula, Montana
