New Year’s is coming closer and we are getting into a new decade. I recently started working as an independent travel consultant. I did some research about the popular top travel trends for 2020. While doing so, it came to me to write a blogpost about this and share with you the results. Some of the trends will certainly shape up the tourism industry for the coming years and have an impact on how we plan our trips and holidays. Here is a list with 7 top travel trends for 2020.

Sustainable travel is the top travel trend for 2020

The year 2019 is the year that Greta Thunberg inspired us all (except Trump) to protect and conserve our planet. Travel brings use closer to nature and let us connect with the natural and cultural wonders of the earth. At the same time it changes the places for better AND worse.

Most of us like to travel but we also feel guilty to jump on a plane and the carbon footprint we leave behind. Perhaps you couldn’t care less. Fine too. But I believe most of us do care about the environment. There are possibilities to fly greener and I will tell you more about this in another blog.

Not only are there ways to fly greener but use of public transport is expected to increase as well when travellers are abroad. Sustainable travel is not only about transport but also to reduce plastic, stay in eco-friendly hotels, B&Bs and resorts, reduce waste and protect nature. In Thailand and the Philippines they are cleaning and sometimes closing nature reserves and islands. Bummer when you are planning to go just to find out that you can’t visit. Unfortunately it’s necessary to close fragile ecosystems to protect animals and nature.

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Visiting smaller cities

Another way to reduce the environmental impact is visiting lesser known cities and destinations. The impact of overtourism is less in the off the beaten path cities. More travellers are trying to avoid crowded tourist places, long queues, busy traffic and expensive capital cities. The smaller, lesser known and budget friendly second cities are growing in popularity. Instead of visiting Amsterdam, a growing number of tourists are visiting second cities in the Netherlands like The Hague, Rotterdam or Maastricht. Every major city has second cities close by and are often easy to get to. Citizens of Mumbai are escaping the crowded city and like to visit the beaches in Goa or explore the colonial history in Fort Kochi. The challenge is to prevent over-tourism in the second-cities and other off the beaten path places.  

Train travel

Another travel trend for 2020 is travelling by train. For some it is not only the experiences that counts. It is a choice to lessen their carbon footprint. The scenery is an extra advantage. Taking the train is a slow mode of transport. To be on the road or on the move gives an extra dimensions to the overall travel experience. And of course the view you cannot see from a plane.

Do you like some more luxury during the train ride? In North America and Europe there is an increase in luxury train travel and offers luxurious accommodation, scenic views, world class dining experiences on board with a 5- star experience.

Other modes of slow travel are taking a bus, cruise, car or to explore a city by walking around. Some of us like to spend time in one country or place and don’t like to spend one week in one country and go to the next. I’m definitely a slow traveller. I love to spend months in one country if my visa allows it that is.

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The airport as a place-to-be

These days the airports are becoming a destination itself. These modern transport hubs are filled with boutique shops, cafes, restaurants, cozy public seating areas, modern architectural lounges and much more. Did you know that Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam has a public library? The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport in Mumbai is decorated with art, statues, wooden carvings and panels, rugs, paintings from every state in India. When you walk around (or get lost) it feels like you are in a museum (see pictures below).

Most people arrive on time and have a few hours to spare when they are at the airport. I personally love to spend time at the airport. I have no stress when I’m stuck in traffic or other kind of delays. After check-in and security I go for coffee, read a book, get some work done or watch people go by. The last one is my favourite… 😊. I always wonder why people are travelling, where they are going, how long etc.

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Short getaways

Not everyone has the time, money or knowledge to plan a long vacation. One of the travel trends of 2020 are the one, two or three day trips. People are looking for new experiences when they travel and try to benefit from being away from their work and living environment for a few days. The shorter getaways reflects two other trends mentioned before. Citizens in metropolitan cities who like to getaway from the big city visit smaller sized cities using the train to get there. The shorter trips are easier for most because it can be done during the weekends and holidays.

DNA Travel

DNA travel or the ancestral tourism is growing rapidly. You are born in your home country but your parents or other (distanced) relatives are living somewhere else. Curious travellers are going on a trip to find their roots or to visit family they never met. The do-it-yourself DNA kits are immensely popular. The DNA results show you where you really come from and some people use this as an excuse to travel and see the place they come from.  

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Themed travel

Think of the Christmas markets in Europe. They are attracting more visitors each year. During holidays people travel (most of them in their own country) to visit family and friends. Europeans like to travel during Christmas and New Year’s and the Indians take time of work and travel during Diwali Festival.

Other top travel trends for 2020 are a part of the themed travel like the music festivals. The music lovers save money to not only to visit a foreign country but also to attend a music festival like Tomorrowland in Belgium or Sziget in Hungary. Themed travel can also be places where movies were filmed or places described in books. Fans book their trips to visit these places mainly to visit for example the Harry Potter Studios in London. The rest of the sights in London are of secondary interest.

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The top travel trend for 2020 is definitely sustainable travel. Would you like to know more about sustainable travel and how you can lessen your carbon footprint? In the next few weeks I am going to write more post about this subject. It is a necessary evil and I believe if we all contribute we can make a difference.