Top Travel Trends In 2017

Over a half of 2017 has gone by, making it a prime time to take note of the main trends permeating the travel industry this year. Naturally, we are seeing more and more of our travel planning and organizing going digital. More tech-savvy among us might have even discovered that they don’t even remember the last time they bought a paperback guidebook, or actually called to a hotel for making booking arrangements. But the trends are not only about the rapid digitization. Let’s take a closer look!

Local experiences? Yes, please!
Have you noticed that Airbnb has opened a new section on its website called experiences? If yes, then you have seen an excellent proof of the increasing market for local experiences. There are many websites that cater to the lovers of all things authentic, local, and exciting. Quite often, these experiences have something to do with cooking, obtaining new skills, or seeing places through the eyes of people actually living there full-time.

Solo travel on the rise
More and more people are contributing to the rise of solo travel. Especially female solo travel. There are countless of online travel blogs and vlogs that are giving a powerful voice to the solo travelers. These people take on big adventures, alone, and often for extended time periods. Curious about the motives behind traveling without regular companions? Click here to read our blog post on solo travel!

Ecological awareness is the key
The mills of ecotourism are grinding away at an intensifying pace. Tourists have started to care more about the environmental footprint that they themselves as travelers are imprinting on the countries they are visiting, and on the planet as a whole, while not forgetting to check the sustainability of the tours that they are taking and same with the souvenirs bought back home. An increasing number of companies have started to capitalize on this important travel trend that is set to continue for many years.

Bleisure is the word
The line between business and leisure trips have been blurred to the point of forming a new word: bleisure. Think taking your family members along on an extended trip that involves doing business, but the defining edge to the endeavour might be a wilderness adventure or sampling the local culture. It’s all about maximizing the potential of booking your flights to a foreign country, even if it’s originally about something work-related.

Foodies galore
Whether it’s doing a wild Sonoran hot dog tour in Tucson, stuffing yourself full with dim sum Beijing, or sampling designer hummus in Jerusalem, foodie travel is definitely all the rage. Many big cities have numerous food tours dedicated to some part of the local cuisine or restaurant scene. Also, this matches with the aforementioned travel trend of local experiences. You might be able to uncover the secrets of great pasta in Napoli with an erudite Italian chef, or pinch together a traditional squid nigiri in Osaka. No traveling foodie will be left hungry this year, that’s a promise!