This is a representational image Whether it’s experiential, sustainable or solo, travel is very much back on people’s minds as a way to discover new places, leave their stress behind, or flaunt their adventures on social media.
So what are trends that are shaping the world of travel?
Experiential:
Immersive or experiential travel, where tourists get off the beaten path to explore a destination’s culture, language and food through local communities, has become a growing sector.American Express Travel president Audrey Hendley says, “People want to feel like they got there first and found some hidden gem.” Think safaris, travelling for sports events like tennis grand slams or music concerts like Taylor Swift’s. “Customers are saying they’ll spend more on the experience and not really ask how much it costs,” she says.
There is also a rise in solo trips. “About 70% of millennials & Gen Z say they will take a solo trip as they just want to get away. Life is a lot. Why not go on your own,” she says.
Smart travel:
Imagine traveling across the world with absolutely no documents – no passport, no visa papers, nothing except your phone. SITA, the air transport communications and infotech company that worked with the Indian govt to develop the DigiYatra app, is now experimenting with the digital travel credentials. The technology uses facial biometrics to verify a person’s identity as they walk through an airport or make a hotel reservation. The traveler’s digital identity will be on their mobile devices, replacing physical passports and other travel documents we use today. It’ll be the primary token against which identity confirmations, risk assessments, and authorisations are made. SITA At Borders senior vice-president Jeremy Springall says this would dramatically reduce wait times and change the way we travel. Digital credentials can even be part of a ‘travel wallet’ that includes insurance, boarding pass, vaccination information, and room key. With air travel demand expected to double to eight billion passengers by 2040, digital tech will be the way forward, Springall says. The company is already implementing this technology in phases in Aruba in the Caribbeans and many countries are joining the bandwagon.Indians spending more on travel:
Young aspirational Indians are eager to travel and explore the world, as is evident from the fact that there are 80 million passport holders in India now. A World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) report says spending by ‘domestic visitors’ between 2019 and 2023 rose 15% to Rs 14 lakh crore. But international visitor spending, at Rs 2.4 lakh crore in 2023, has remained more than 14% behind 2019.Indians are bigger spenders compared to the global average. Puneet Chhatwal, India Hotels and Company MD & CEO, says Indians now spend $75-200 a night as compared to an average traveller who spends $52-100 a night. In India, WTTC projects that travel and tourism will contribute almost Rs 21 lakh crore to the economy in 2024, an increase of 21% from 2019.
Sustainable travel:
Speaking at the recent WTTC Global summit in Perth, council president and CEO Julia Simpson said, “This year, our sector is set to break all records, contributing Rs 11 lakh crore to the global economy. But our vision goes beyond numbers – it’s about building a sustainable future where travel empowers local people, safeguards our planet’s heritage, and brings the world closer together.”Western Australia minister for tourism Rita Saffioti who introduced the theme ‘Ancient Land: New Perspectives’ spoke about prioritising sustainable tourism, highlighting the longest electric vehicle highway in the country spanning 6,600 km and equipped with charging points.
The WTTC report says that in 2023, travel and tourism accounted for 6.7% of all emissions globally – down from 7.8% in 2019. “We’re decoupling growth from emissions – the sector is expanding economically while lowering its environmental footprint. We must accelerate this progress significantly to meet the Paris climate targets. We’re on the right track, but we need to up our game,” says Simpson.
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