With the New Year round the anvil, various surveys have emerged showing that travel trends for the year 2023. In a report Hotelbeds says that not only will the travel continue to grow strongly in 2023, but also that customers prefer hassle-free trips.

After one of the strongest rebounds in global tourism that the year 2022 has experienced, various surveys say that the growth phase is far from over and that the year 2023 is also set to be a very strong year for tourism growth, despite the worries of recession and inflation.

The appetite for travel shows no signs of slowing down. A survey by hotel booking company Hotelbeds says the company is expecting growth of 30 pc above 2022 levels over the next 12 months but new trends are emerging as consumers not only seek new experiences but also ways to make their trips easier and hassle-free.

“As we lead increasingly busy lives, we no longer have time to book each element of our travel separately. We, as consumers, are also very frustrated with the friction that we encounter. The standards for the consumer experience will keep on rising. That’s why frictionless travel will revolutionise the industry and Hotelbeds is taking steps towards this with our one-stop-shop vision. It helps our clients provide everything their customers need while also simplifying the process so travellers can spend less time addressing issues and more time enjoying their trip,’’ says Nicholas Huss, CEO of Hotelbeds.

‘‘This evolution can be directed in different ways but there is the opportunity to develop a community solution which can positively impact the travel ecosystem. It can also be more sustainable in the long-term, which is why we’re expanding it across our business and encouraging our clients to join us,’’ Huss adds.

Hotelbeds connects its clients to more than 320,000 travel products including hotels, car rentals and attractions in over 195 countries. Its data is compiled from four billion searches every day and more than four million bookings so far for travel in 2023. Hotelbeds says that as per its survey global travellers are seeking experiences that are not only novel but also seamless. It lists the significant aspects of travel in 2023.

Revenge travel

If the past couple of years have taught us anything, it’s not to wait, says Hotelbeds. Revenge travel will continue to gain momentum next year as people prioritise travel. Hotelbeds’ data shows growth for next year with analysis suggesting 30 pc more room nights will be booked in 2023 compared to 2022, showing that rising inflation is not putting people off travelling.

Connected trip

Hotelbeds says that as consumers become increasingly time-poor, they not only want to have everything in the palm of their hand, but they want a one-stop-shop for all their travel needs too. ‘‘This frictionless experience extends to all aspects of the experience from booking all elements of travel at once, including the hotel and theme park tickets to breezing through the airport using biometrics rather than scanning your passport to board an aircraft,’’ says Hotelbeds.

Improved customer experience

Travellers are increasingly looking for a personalised service. They no longer want to be passenger 17A on an aircraft or room 303 in a hotel. They are now moving away from price and choosing experiences that are more individual. In a service sector such as tourism, consumers attach great importance to the quality of services and experiences and are willing to pay more to companies offering focus on customer-centricity.

Digitalisation of hotels

Hotelbeds that there has already been a shift towards digitalisation in the hotel sector through for example, offering services like mobile room keys and remote check-ins and -outs, and now it’s going one step further to make hotel operations more efficient. Hotels need to access real-time data, so they know to staff up or slim down. Realtime occupancy data can make cleaning staff more productive by prioritising which rooms to service first, while QR codes and digital menus not only make ordering food and other items seamless, but it also has a positive impact on the environment too by reducing paper. It’s a win for the customer and a win for staff, empowering them to focus on the most impactful and guest interactions. Hotelbeds says it is supporting this shift by working with its suppliers to utilise connectivity to remove manual intervention and thus friction in its service.

Focus on Fintech in travel

Travel demand is surging but cancellations, delays and staffing shortages continue to plague travel operations, creating friction and stress for travellers. For travel companies pushing to regain and expand their market share in the current chaotic environment, travel fintech offers compelling solutions by freezing prices, changing or cancelling reservations and easily rebooking disrupted flights, paying with whichever payment methods they find convenient. Travelers are willing to pay for the added confidence – and suppliers reap the benefits of more direct bookings and a new revenue stream too. As awareness and adoption of fintech products grows, travellers increasingly will expect the option to lock in prices and gain peace of mind. The travel companies who provide it are more likely to thrive in the post-Covid-19 environment.

Rise of sustainable travel

Recycling, hybrid cars, reducing plastic – all ways consumers are reducing their environmental impact. And now tourism is being added to this list too as more travellers seek sustainable trips so they can explore the world without damaging it.

Combining business with leisure

With hybrid and remote working here to stay for many, people are taking advantage of the ability to work from anywhere and combining business with pleasure. Barbados was an early pioneer offering the Barbados Welcome Stamp, allowing visitors to stay for up to a year and now many companies – including Hotelbeds – allows its teams to work in any location for extended periods, which has shown to boost employee morale.