9 travel trends for 2020

1. Never without my travel agency

Since many travellers have grown up with mobile phone in hand and are avid social media consumers, you might think they would make all their travel purchases online. But that’s not the case!

While it is true that Instagram, bloggers and influencers are sources of inspiration when choosing a destination, many travellers still head to a travel agency when it comes time to book.

There are numerous reasons for using a travel agency. One of the them is to save time. Professionalism and experience of travel agents should also be taken into account as they organize unforgettable trips that would not necessarily be within reach if you were to make your own reservations online.

By using a travel agency, you are assured that you made the right choice and that everything will be organized for you to make your trip a success.

2. Inspirational journeys

Globetrotters are not satisfied with simply travelling from point A to B. Their trips need to go above and beyond.

It’s not enough to take in a beautiful countryside and stock up on souvenirs. The trip must be filled with fireworks and life-changing moments.

This quest leads some tourists to steer clear of the all-inclusive resorts or popular tourist attractions invaded by hordes of photo-clicking vacationers.

This is where a travel agent’s assistance can be invaluable. They can help find places that will make you go wow!

These travellers want to have extraordinary experiences that transform the way they see the world. Nothing less will do!

3. Epicurean delights

The pleasures of the palate reign supreme. This is why tourists are killing two birds with one stone: combining shared interests while travelling. They also believe in discovering a new culture through its traditional dishes.

They avoid overpriced tourist traps and wander off the beaten path in search of new flavours. Some activities that grab a globetrotter’s attention include: exploring public markets and visiting local producers, eating with locals, and finding hole-in-the-wall restaurants.

4. Sport travel

Fuelled by their passions, tourists want to combine travel and sport.

Always on the go and in search of unforgettable experiences, they add a sporting angle to their trip, by booking activities such as a yoga retreat, cycling tour, surf or ski adventure.

5. Immersion travel (or experiential travel)

Immersion travel is a form of tourism in which travellers search for meaningful engagement with new cultures and live like locals by immersing themselves in the daily life of their destination.

Avoiding hotels they judge lack any personality, they rent apartments, prepare their own meals, discover the neighbourhood grocery store and bakery in the hope of having real encounters with local residents.

6. Urban trips

There are some travellers who prefer big cities to the country.

They feed off the frenzy of major metropolitan areas and love hopping on public transport that makes it convenient and easy to move around.

Forget about packages where you visit a different country every day! Travellers want to land in one place and stay a while to explore the surroundings at their leisure. This is how they feel they can best immerse themselves in the essence of their destination.

7. Travel by interest

Architecture, fine dining, vineyards, decadent parties, postcard-worthy countryside, photography… an itinerary can be built based on a traveller’s interests!

As they want to visit and do the things that interest them, their trips are unique and personalized with learning opportunities, demonstrations, and visits to little known tourist attractions.

8. Humanitarian trips

For some tourists, a trip is a golden opportunity to help disadvantaged communities.

Driven by a desire to give back and have a positive impact on their environment, they travel to construct buildings or water pumps, teach, work the land, etc.

This kind of trip allows them to forge more intimate bonds with locals and breathe a good dose of humanitarianism into their travels.

9. Sustainable tourism

Eager to reduce their ecological footprint without sacrificing their desire to explore the world, these travellers are shunning mass tourism for ecotourism.

It is easy to play tourist in Europe and make environmentally friendly choices when public transport is so readily available and local tourism is so highly promoted.

They are also quite aware of companies that have a consistent ecological approach, starting with airlines that plant trees to offset their greenhouse gas emissions.

Article written in collaboration with Groupe Voyages Québec.