Why will people travel in 2016? How will these travelers decide what to do and where to stay? Will they spend more or less than they did in 2015? And what impact are their choices having on the travel industry as a whole?
The latest TripBarometer study answers all of these questions by analyzing more than 44,000 responses from travelers and hoteliers around the globe. Here are the most important of the 2016 travel trends.
Trend #1 – Seeking new experiences
In the coming year, travelers of all ages will seek out things they haven’t tried before, from cruises to solo travel and more.
- Globally, 69% of travelers plan to try something new in 2016.
- 1 in 5 global travelers said they would try a cruise for the first time next year. You can check cruise offers here.
- 17% will try solo travel for the first time in 2016; 15% will try adventure travel for the first time.
Trend #2 – Spending more because it’s “worth it”
Worldwide, travelers are open to spending more in 2016 than they have in the past—and not just because of rising costs.
1 in 3 travelers are planning to spend more in 2016 than they did in 2015.
- 1 in 3 travelers (33%) are planning to spend more on travel in 2016 than they did the previous year.
- Among those who plan to increase their travel budget, 49% said they will do so because “because I or my family deserve it.”
- 31% said they would spend more on travel because “it’s important for my health and well-being.” (Read more: How Travel Affects Happiness)
Trend #3 – Choosing destinations based on culture, special offers
Today’s travelers choose destinations for a number of reasons, including special offers from accommodations.
- Globally, 47% of travelers say they have visited a destination because of the culture and people of the specific country.
- 1 in 5 travelers (21%) have chosen a destination because a hotel had a special offer or package.
- “TV tourism” is on the rise: 1 in 5 global travelers have visited a destination because they saw it on a TV show.
Trend #4 – Staying cool and connected
Among the amenities that travelers will look for when they book an accommodation in 2016, air conditioning and WiFi stand out.
- Globally, 63% of travelers said air conditioning is a must-have when choosing a place to stay. That makes it more of a deal-breaker than breakfast (40%) or a swimming pool (26%).
- 46% said free in-room WiFi is a must-have amenity—meaning that, if an accommodation did not provide it, they would look elsewhere.
- 26% of travelers said that they require an accommodation that has super-fast WiFi; 11% are willing to pay extra for this service.
Trend #5 – Rising room rates (and optimism)
Many accommodations plan to raise their room rates next year, while the majority of hoteliers say they’re optimistic about profitability in 2016. So, hurry up! Book your holiday in advance on Booking.com or Expedia to secure still cheaper rates.
3 out of 4 business owners are optimistic about profits in 2016.
- Nearly half of hoteliers globally plan to increase room rates in 2016 (47%).
- Most accommodations are increasing rates to compensate for increased overhead costs (65%), although more than a third are increasing rates because of recently completed renovations (37%) or because of increased demand (35%).
- 3 in 4 business owners are optimistic about profitability in 2016. The majority of those who are optimistic say it’s because of local events and conferences taking place in their markets next year (65%).
- 91% of hoteliers see increasing direct bookings as key for the future of their business.
Trend #6 – Managing reputations online
Online presence remains important: In 2016, businesses will be keeping a close eye on what people are saying about them on the web.
- 93% of hoteliers said that online traveler reviews are important for the future of their business.
- Online reputation management is still the biggest area of investment for accommodation owners in 2016, with 59% investing more in this area than they did the previous year.
