As the current year winds down, it’s time to look ahead to what the New Year has in store. At Cheapflights, that means it’s time for our forecast of travel trends and key destinations for the coming year and beyond. Read on and start planning your 2017 adventures (Cheapflights.com.sg is here to help with your flight search).
Travel Trends for 2017
“Golden age” for international travel – Thanks to cheaper airfare made possible by low-cost and budget airlines, as well as on-the-go mobile technology, people are travelling now more than ever, and to even more adventurous, off-the-beaten path destinations. Aside from discount seats, we also see regional airlines such as Air Asia and Cebu Pacific pushing to open new destinations (Honolulu, Hawaii, may even be on the horizon for Air Asia). That means new places to explore for 2017. Exciting times ahead, indeed.
More airport innovation and investment – As travellers become even savvier, cities are putting a focus on improving their airports. Case in point: Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1, once voted worst airport in the world, has just received a face-lift. In fact, a number of Southeast Asia airports have renovations in the works. Aside from the renovations and upgrades, expect to see more services being offered in more airports, such as fast and free Wi-Fi, charging stations and children’s play areas.
Portable travel search – Mobile technology has changed the face of travel planning and search. The evolution of online travel has extended well beyond the desktop and is now moving beyond the travel website. Whenever and wherever travel inspiration strikes, look for travel search to be close by. At the most basic, it’s the simple step of pulling out your phone for an impromptu vacation planning session over dinner. Download our free Cheapflights app for travel search on the go. In addition, expect text alerts for fare sales and price drops to become more common, or to even get a price from your favourite voice-based Internet device or through Facebook Messenger. Coming soon: drag an online article about a team, festival or concert right into a search window and get the flight options for attending upcoming events back right away.
The decline of the generic holiday – Experiential travel (or immersion travel) eclipses package vacations. People are not just travelling to see the sights, they now want to travel with a purpose. Examples include:
Living like a local – Thanks to the popularity of homestay services like Airbnb, travellers can easily take up residence in a new city or a remote bit of countryside, whether for a few days, weeks, or months. This is giving rise to the search for a more personalized and “authentic” experience. Paired with services like local tour guide matching and With Locals-style at-home dining, it’s far easier to get a full-immersion vacation. These options add fuel to the growing solo travel market, and make it easier to cut ties to home, which is key to a digital detox experience. For the growing group of travellers motivated to deep dive into a culture, this holiday style is hard to beat.
Working vacation – While total immersion is one increasingly popular option, there’s also an increasing number of people combining work and travel in new ways. Aside from the fact that many people can now work remotely, there’s also been an increase in people to mixing business with pleasure with the so-called “bleisure” trip. Travelling for business? Simply tack on time and possibly an added destination or two to your work travel and you can maximize your time and savings. Done right, this is the ultimate in multi-tasking – add another outfit or two to your bag and have work pick up the bulk of your travel tab.
Ecotourism – The ticking clocks of climate change and overdevelopment are getting louder and louder for many people, driving a sense of urgency for seeing destinations that are endangered and supporting tourism services that sustain vulnerable lands and species.
Hot 2017 destinations
Bagan, Myanmar
Myanmar has been enjoying a tourism boost ever since it opened itself up to foreign visitors. And the trend will likely continue, especially now that the country is offering visa-free access for Singapore passport holders. If you haven’t seen the majestic archaeological sites and temples, now’s the time.
Mumbai, India
Another destination on our radar is the Indian state of Maharashtra’s capital city, Mumbai. Rich in history and culture, it’s definitely the perfect place for a short holiday. The best time to go is from the months of November to February. during the city’s winter season, when it is not too cold and not too hot.
Cairns, Australia
A favourite among adventurous travellers, Cairns, Australia, is not only filled with natural attractions, it’s also considered as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. With a number of low-cost carriers flying from Asia to Cairns, its affordable, accessible and more than worth the trip.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
More and more people are discovering the charm of this walled city in southern Croatia, thanks to its role as one of the location in hit HBO show, “Game of Thrones”. Aside from the many “Thrones” walking tours available, the city also boasts numerous heritage sites, museums and beautiful beaches by the Adriatic Sea.
Canada
A recent agreement between Cathay Pacific and Air Canada has made travel to this North America destination easier than ever before. Passengers will be able to book a single ticket with a combination of the two airlines providing flights with one-stop connections from eight Southeast Asian cities. Canada’s no-holds-barred plans for celebrating its 150th birthday will be the draw in 2017. Starting from New Year’s Eve, every event will be bigger and better. And every city and town will be getting in on the action with festivities and celebrations. In a country the size and scale of Canada, there will be no shortage of opportunities to join in the celebration.
Looking for even more new travel adventures to have in 2017? Here are 30 new things to try this year. Share your 2017 travel goals with us in the comments, and start planning your next holiday with Cheapflights.sg flight search. Happy travels…
Main image: iStockphoto/Soft_Light
