10 TRAVEL TRENDS FOR 2018

TRAVEL’S MOST BUZZWORTHY DESTINATIONS, EMERGING TRENDS AND SOUGHT-AFTER TRIPS.

With the new year fast approaching, now is the time to find out what's up and coming in travel. We’ve tapped into the latest industry news, insights and expert advice to predict what awaits travelers in 2018. Uncovered were exciting trends – from adventures that explore new frontiers to trips that challenge traditional tourism.

For the first time, Intrepid Travel presents our annual Top 10 Travel Trends for 2018.

TREND 10:

TRAVEL TO THE MIDDLE EAST WILL MAKE A BIG COMEBACK

Travel Trends Jordan Petra Travel Trends Jordan Petra

The lost city of Petra, Jordan.

The lost city of Petra, Jordan.

Defying headlines, the Middle East’s growth in international arrivals this year has surpassed heavy-hitters like Europe and South America, and it’s not slowing down. According to a recent World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Travel Barometer, the Middle East is the fastest-growing travel region in the world – with the Palestinian territories leading the pack at 57.8% growth in international visitors. Travel companies are taking note. Hilton Worldwide now has seven new Egypt hotels in its pipeline while celebrated street artist, Banksy, also opened a highly-anticipated hotel in Bethlehem. In 2018, Intrepid Travel will be launching seven new Middle East tours, including ones in Iran and Jordan.

TREND 9:

EUROPE’S NEW FRONTIERS WILL HELP ALLEVIATE OVERTOURISM

Travel Trends Moldova Monastery Travel Trends Moldova Monastery

Orheiul Vechi Cave Monastery complex in Moldova.

Orheiul Vechi Cave Monastery complex in Moldova.

As Europe’s hot spots, such as Italy and Croatia, continue to experience a capacity crunch, tourism industry stakeholders are looking to less-traveled destinations in the continent to redistribute the demand. Where exactly? Belarus, which now offers five-day visa-free travel, and Moldova, which launched new routes in November through Air Moldova, to name a few. Intrepid Travel is adding departures in Belarus, Cyprus, Moldova and Poland to its existing Europe range. Expect to hear more buzz about lesser-discovered Europe in 2018.

TREND 8:

MODERN FAMILY DYNAMICS WILL INNOVATE FAMILY TRAVEL

Travel Trends Iceland Skógafoss Travel Trends Iceland Skógafoss

Family travel at Skógafoss waterfall in Iceland.

Family travel at Skógafoss waterfall in Iceland.

In a recent Stats Canada survey, lone-parent families now make up 19.2% of Canadian households with children, and the United Kingdom’s Office for National Statistics states that there are around two million lone-parent families today in the UK. The travel industry is quickly catching up. Virgin Holidays launched a new price program for single parents. Intrepid Travel, which has seen a 16% growth in family bookings, has launched six new family tours in 2018. These tours do not charge more for parents traveling without a spouse. Gone are the days of exclusively two-parent travel offerings – 2018 is the year for all families.

TREND 7:

ADVENTURE TRAVEL WILL CATER TO EXPERIENCES

Travel Trends Portugal Lisbon Travel Trends Portugal Lisbon

Trying pastel de nata in Lisbon on Intrepid Travel's Portugal Real Food Adventure tour.

Trying pastel de nata in Lisbon on Intrepid Travel's Portugal Real Food Adventure tour.

According to a recent study by the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), the definition of adventure is changing. Risky adrenaline activities are favored 45% less than "experiencing a new culture" in the definition of adventure travel. And travel companies are taking note. Intrepid Travel is seeing a 20% increase in bookings this year for its Real Food Adventure tours which offer cooking classes, wine tastings and local market visits. Day tour company, Urban Adventures, has launched a range of locally-focused shopping ('Made-In') tours for 2018.

TREND 6:

WINTER WILL BECOME THE NEW PEAK SEASON

Travel Trends Russia Nenets Camp Travel Trends Russia Nenets Camp

Local Nenets camp taken on Intrepid Travel's Footsteps of Russia's Reindeer Herders tour.

Local Nenets camp taken on Intrepid Travel's Footsteps of Russia's Reindeer Herders tour.

A recent study found that 79% of Americans would consider an overseas trip during the winter, and 53% of them would not be seeking a change in weather – suggesting a majority of winter travelers aren't motivated by warmer temperatures. In fact, winter festivals around the world attract millions of visitors, such as China’s Harbin Ice Festival which had over a million visitors last year. As well, the number of hotels opening in or around the Arctic Circle is increasing, including a new hotel in Northern Sweden. Intrepid Travel, who already offers winter festival trips, will be launching a Finnish Lapland tour and increasing departures of its Footsteps of Russia’s Reindeer Herders tour in 2018.

TREND 5:

CRUISE TRAVEL WILL HAVE MORE SUSTAINABLE OPTIONS

Travel Trends Croatia Cruise Travel Trends Croatia Cruise

Adriatic coast near Hvar on Intrepid Travel's Croatia Coastal Cruising tour.

Adriatic coast near Hvar on Intrepid Travel's Croatia Coastal Cruising tour.

With increased pressure from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), large ship cruises are scrambling to reduce their environmental footprint. The demand for cruise ship travel is projected to grow 4.5% from last year – and so is greener travel, according to the most recent Center for Responsible Travel report. Intrepid Travel will launch 10 small ship cruise itineraries and Peregrine Adventures will add 20 small ship tours to its existing range in 2018. Both companies' cruise range use cleaner fuel, port for longer periods and access more small towns. These tours have been featured in both The New York Times and The Guardian.

TREND 4:

TRAVEL TO CANADA WILL REACH RECORD NUMBERS

Travel Trends Canada Lake Louise Travel Trends Canada Lake Louise

Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada.

Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada.

Listed as the New York Times' top place to go in 2017, Canada has quickly become one of the hottest international travel destinations. According to Destination Canada’s most recent data, Canadian inbound tourism reached a 14-year high with almost 20 million travelers in 2016. According to Skift, Canada is also seeing major growth in newer markets, such as Chinese travelers that grew 24% last year. The Intrepid Group is responding with nine new Canada tours between its Intrepid Travel, Peregrine Adventures and Geckos Adventures brands. Airbnb also recently added Toronto to its Airbnb Trips range. As Canadian tourism is projected to keep growing, you’ll be hearing a lot more about Canada in 2018.

TREND 3:

WELLNESS TRIPS WILL BECOME MORE ACTIVE

Travel Trends Tanzania Cycle Travel Trends Tanzania Cycle

A group on Intrepid Travel's Cycle Tanzania tour in Arusha, Tanzania.

A group on Intrepid Travel's Cycle Tanzania tour in Arusha, Tanzania.

Health-conscious travel is on the rise and many travel companies are introducing new offerings for travelers to maintain their personal well-being on the road. This is not surprising when you think about the growing trend of health and wellness in general – for example, over 50% of Americans are now getting the recommended amount of exercise per week. In response to the growing demand for health-conscious travel, Intrepid Travel is adding six new cycling tours to their existing range next year, including in Bali and Peru.

TREND 2:

EMERGING DESTINATIONS WILL TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT

Travel Trends Bhutan Monastery Travel Trends Bhutan Monastery

Tiger's Nest Monastery in the upper Paro valley in Bhutan.

Tiger's Nest Monastery in the upper Paro valley in Bhutan.

As social media opens people's eyes to lesser-known destinations, travelers are increasingly seeking more remote places to travel. Take Ethiopia, Bhutan, Paraguay and Kazakhstan for example, whose tourist numbers are all growing according to the World Bank. Intrepid Travel already has tours in Djibouti and Ethiopia, and is adding another Ethiopia itinerary for 2018. The tour operator is also venturing to new off-beat destinations like the Sarawak Rainforest Music Festival in Borneo and India’s remote northeastern region. Kazakhstan has also caught the attention of hoteliers, with Hyatt Hotels and Hilton both opening up new properties in this former Soviet republic.

TREND 1:

SOLO TRAVEL WILL BE AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH

Travel Trends Morocco Todra Valley Travel Trends Morocco Todra Valley

Solo travelers trekking in the Todra Valley on Intrepid Travel's Best of Morocco tour.

Solo travelers trekking in the Todra Valley on Intrepid Travel's Best of Morocco tour.

Google searches for “solo travel” and “travel alone” were at the highest they've ever been in January of this year. Travel companies are now building catered products to not only accommodate, but celebrate the solo traveler. After seeing a 40% increase in solo passengers on group trips over the past five years, Intrepid Travel launched their first solo-only tour range. This includes solo tours in Bali, India and Vietnam. Transat will expand their Solo Collection in 2018, waiving single supplements and creating communal tables for shared meals. Meanwhile, Saga Cruise in the UK is building 109 solo cabins on its new ship launching in 2019. It’s a new era for solo travel.

Ready for a new adventure in the new year? Check out Intrepid Travel's range of small group adventures.