The world has been getting smaller and smaller, and the trend of globalization has only accelerated. This has led to an increase in the number of people traveling abroad, as well as an increase in the number of tourists visiting areas within one’s own country. The world’s population has increased and people are living longer, so the percentage of retirees who travel is also rising. As such, travel agencies are adjusting their business models to cater to this demographic segment.
In the next few years, travel trends are expected to shift from primarily seeing destinations to more of a focus on the journey. With social media, everyone has an opinion about what to do and where to go, and this has resulted in a world of over-sharing. The article below will review the current predictions and expectations for traveling trends in 2023 along with the major challenges and opportunities.
Travel Needs and Wants in 2023
In 2023, the majority of travel will occur by boat. With the large increase in global warming, it will be easier to move goods by boat because they are not subject to the same issues as planes and trains. This will be due to the increase in sea level and decrease in the ice caps. Rising sea levels result in more flooding and storms. However, this will not be an issue for boats because they are able to withstand the effects of climate change.
Boat travel is generally the most cost-effective form of transportation for long distances because boats are not dependent on any type of fuel or electricity. However, boat travel is not usually an option for shorter distances, making it more difficult to access if one lives in a densely populated area.
Bus travel may be the best option for a person who is looking to make a small trip within their own city or town. Buses are dependent on fuel and electricity, but they are also usually more common in large cities due to the volume of traffic the buses carry. Additionally, buses can be shared among many people, meaning that more people can fit on them at one time, and they are also more environmentally-friendly than cars.
In 2023, we will see an increase in the number of self-driving cars on the road. This is due to the advancement in technology and the sensors that these cars use. With a self-driving car, there is no need for a driver, which can make transportation easier for those who are unable to drive. There are also more benefits to self-driving cars such as being able to keep your eyes on the road and not have to worry about driving. Self-driving cars will also be able to decrease the number of accidents that occur, which will make roads much safer. In 2023, these cars are predicted to be a common sight on the road.
Travel restrictions and opportunities in 2023
Throughout the last 5 years tourists’ behavior, interests and lifestyle has changed considerably. People began traveling to less popular places and taking more risks in their travel itineraries. For instance, visits to Asian countries and resorts have increased enormously and keep on increasing by 6% on average annually.
We can predict that in the year 2023, destinations will be popular which are
- near the sea
- that have a good climate
- are culturally different from western countries
- with a rich history
- are highly advanced in technology or extremely behind
However, it has to be noted that new travel restrictions are coming in 2023. First of all, due to Covid-19 pandemic, travel has become a bit of a burden for a lot of people. Majority of countries are now requiring Covid passports, vaccination proofs, quarantine laws, etc. In addition to the pandemic-induced requirements, there will also be new rules on border crossing.
Europe is launching a new travel authorization system ETIAS visa waiver which will be a mandatory requirement for all visa-exempt nationals willing to visit the Schengen area. It will be very similar to US ESTA, Canadian eTa, Australian eTa, etc.
The Changing Lifestyles of Travelers
The changing lifestyles of travelers is the subject of study in the field of marketing. Ever since the rise in globalization and the Internet, people are able to travel more than ever before. This has resulted in a change in how people behave and what they want when they travel. One example is that people are looking for cheaper flights, but are willing to spend more on experiences as opposed to physical possessions.
In the past, travelers were limited to the resources available in their own country. Now, travelers are more likely to visit other countries to try new foods and purchase goods that are not available in their home country. They are also more likely to stay in hotels that offer amenities like room service, cable television, and swimming pools.
The world of travelers is one that is constantly evolving. From a traveler’s habits to their predictions for the future, so many things are changing. A lot of people are now traveling with laptops, tablets, and cameras and it is expected to see that travel in 2023 involves no paper at all and is completely digitalized.
The experts also predict that more and more people will be taking risks in their travel itineraries. Tourism will shift from the oversaturated destinations to the hidden gems, from historical sightseeings to nature gateways.
