2023 Travel Trends: What’s in—and What’s out

With the new year in full swing, we’ve got our eye on the 2023 travel trends that will shape the year ahead. So far, the picture is looking bright.

The U.S. Travel Association and Tourism Economics are forecasting a near-return to pre-pandemic visitor levels. Tourism Economics delivered more good news for the hard-hit industry: they predict travel demand will continue to grow in 2023, in spite of a mild recession. This would mark the first time the industry has not seen a decline during an economic downturn.

So, where are people going and what are they doing?

Wading through the annual onslaught of “New Year travel trends” is no easy feat. We read them all, so you don’t have to. Here’s our Travel team’s list of what’s in and what’s out for 2023.

What’s in.  

• Going wherever White Lotus goes. Destinations and hotels have believed in the power of “Set Jetting” for some time, but White Lotus took things to an entirely new level this year. The real-life hotel featured in the show is booked solid through April 2023. Recent data from Expedia Group found that 68 percent of their survey respondents would consider a destination after seeing it in a show or movie…with 61 percent following through and booking a trip.
• Using Google Maps to plan your trip. This is how our team notes and shares our “go to” spots, along with bookmarking content from TikTok and IG. Want to get in on the action? Check out this tutorial.
• Following the music. Whether for Harry Styles, Tay Tay, or “destination festivals” like the New Orleans Jazz Fest and  Splash House in Palm Springs, following the music has us packing our bags.

• Bleisure—but heavy on the leisure. First it was bleisure, a combination of “business” and “leisure” travel where a few vacay days were added on to a conference or meeting. Then the pandemic brought us a rise in digital nomadism: longer stays in a vacation destination where remote workers could plug in. 2023 brings a swing of the pendulum. Travelers are now seeking escapism: true vacations sealed with a firm OOO message.
• Supporting local businesses wherever we go. In the spirit of regenerative tourism, travelers are choosing to support local communities and economies by shopping small and local. We expect to see hotels adapting to this preference with more local-driven recommendations.
• Wellness but make it exciting. The people have spoken: they want more than a generic massage or facial. We’re talking treatments set in mind-blowing landscapes, psychedelic retreats, couples connection deep dives, inflight sleep rituals (hey, Air New Zealand!) and more.
• Dodging the crowds. It’s official: traveling off-season is in. A likely result of WFH, the “slow travel” movement and a pandemic-induced desire for space—people are jetting off on their own schedule.  Canada in winter? The Caribbean in fall? You make the rules!

What’s out.

• Saving big trips for honeymoons. Bring on the bestiemoons—bucket list travel doesn’t have to wait until you meet that special someone.
• Checking luggage. Flying carry-on-only, or COO, could save the day when you inevitably experience a canceled or severely delayed flight.

• Reclining your airplane seat. Don’t be that person in 2023. Please? We do however give you permission to attempt the window-aisle couple ploy and hope for the best.
• Tchotchke souvenirs. Sure, some people may collect a magnet here or there, but what people are really collecting instead, are meals. “I ate this/dined here” is the new take-home currency.
• Live-gramming your vacay. People who want to truly unplug and be present are opting for post-trip photo dumps and reels round-ups over real-time sharing.
• Related: Doing it solely for the ‘gram. Fewer folks are traveling for the photo – and that’s a good thing. Overtourism in Instagram-famous spots is a real problem facing communities around the globe, and is a problem travelers can help address by taking the road less traveled.
• Leaving PTO on the table. The U.S. Travel Association has been focused for years on getting Americans to actually take what little vacation we have. Nobody likes a vacation martyr, and if the pandemic taught us one thing, it’s that we all love and miss traveling. So friends, let’s use up those time-off benefits!  

Want more from Praytell’s travel pros? Reach out to us at hello@praytellagency.com.