In 2019, even with my super-busy time at Trianon Palace where I started working this spring, I managed to travel to some places in and outside of France, including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Russia. I kicked off 2019 with travel, having gone for a 6-day getaway to Istanbul in the beginning of January. So, looking ahead, I wanted to speculate on some forthcoming travel 2020 trends for the tourism industry.
Travel 2020: Shorter and more original trips
To set out on a long journey, one needs to have quite a bit of spare cash and a job that allows you time off for such a getaway. You could also leave home for longer periods if you’re able to earn money during the trip – for example, a freelance job online.
That’s the reason many more people will opt for 1-to-4 day breaks from the city, which is a perfect solution for those on a tight budget or with long working hours. Experts say these kinds of journeys have a positive impact on the economies of small cities as people are more keen to see some off-the-beaten-track spots where they wouldn’t necessarily go for a two-week vacation.
Concerning destinations and travel experiences, there is a trend for personalised treats as well as for once-in-a-lifetime impressions. AirBnb Experiences, a service recently launched on the popular accommodation website, has shown an impressive rise in interest from its clients who choose to go hiking with locals, discover gastronomic and wine specialties
of a region or even try something more radically different than see the popular attractions or go on a package tour.
This changes the business model for travel firms that have to adapt to the changing needs of tourists craving to see something fresh and be a part of the experience offered.
Travel 2020: E-detox and mindfulness
The fear of missing out (FOMO) is going to fade, making way for JOMO – the joy of missing out. I feel being disconnected from virtual reality and “always being in the know” mode can really help ease the fatigue I experience daily.
Since people tend to show their better selves on social media, you’re led to believe everyone around us is leading a content life full of positive experiences and achievements. Your real life may not be progressing in the same manner, so sometimes the way to unwind is to leave the online behind.
Travellers will seek inner peace via meditations, yoga and spiritual sessions, thus eco-villages and other retreat spots will continue to gain popularity.
Over the past few years, sales statisticians have claimed that brands wearing an “eco” or “organic” tag have seen a much steadier growth than those without one. Such consumer behaviour reflects the trend of people trying to live more consciously. This equally impacts the way we travel: choosing a destination, choosing transportation to get there and to get around while there and daily actions during the trip.
Instagrammable locations and tech
Instagram has surely turned our daily routine upside down – and I admit I have been personally affected by its influence: checking the feed as I wake up on the weekends; following new profiles while taking the train to go to work and drawing inspiration from other chefs’ creations.
I cannot deny this tool of communication has become deeply rooted in my schedule. When travelling, most people try to find the best spot possible to capture some special moment, tag the location on their phones and then share it with their virtual audience.
With the new features yet to be revealed, Instagram will continue influencing what kind of places attract travellers who are keen to see and explore them simply because it may be of interest for their subscribers.
Also, according to some stats regarding travel startups in 2019, the new year might bring artificial intelligence features in browsers or mobile apps. This includes your trip being planned based on your previous travel endeavours and offering a customised experience for a region or city.
As to what the most visited country in the world might be for 2020, I leave it to you to guess. It’s located in Europe and it had quite a few colonies overseas – any guesses?
Leave them in the comments below!
About the author:
Elena Kalmykova is a pastry chef, gastronomic guide, arts lover and passionate traveller living in Paris. She’s originally from Moscow, Russia. It was her love for pastry that led Elena to study and then work in a Parisian pastry shop, a 3-star Michelin restaurant and now in a 5-star hotel.
She loves to discover new technologies as well as the latest trends in food, great spots to eat or drink and share her knowledge.
You can follow her on Instagram at elena_kalmykova.
See all of Elena’s Dispatches posts here.
See more Quick Trip recommendations here.
Elena Kalmykova is a pastry chef, gastronomic guide, arts lover and passionate traveller. She’s originally from Moscow, Russia. It was her love for pastry that led Elena to study and then work in a Parisian pastry shop, a 3-star Michelin restaurant, then at a 5-star hotel.
She loves to discover new technologies as well as the latest trends in food, great spots to eat or drink and share her knowledge.
You can follow her on Instagram at elena_kalmykova.
