Curious about the future of travel? Explore five exciting trends like coolcations, solo travel, and bleisure. Read on to see how they’ll shape your next trip!
Before you plan your next trip, you may want to consider how recent trends could impact your experience. As the tourism landscape continues to evolve, people worldwide are reconnecting with travel as a means to live more meaningfully and mindfully in the aftermath of the pandemic. Here’s how.
1. Coolcations
When you picture vacation, you might think of lying on a beach somewhere tropical, basking in the sun with something refreshing.
As appealing as that sounds, fewer tourists gravitate toward this type of destination. Rather than basking in the sun, more are choosing cooler climes and less-crowded venues to unwind and explore.
Part of the rising interest in coolcations is a global concern for climate change and over-tourism–a relatively new term exploring the environmental consequences of having 80% of travelers visiting only 10% of the world’s tourist destinations.
Coolcations encourages tourists to travel in a more conscious and mindful way.
2. Mood-driven, plan-free travel
Vacation used to be about checking off bucket lists and following itineraries, but a new trend encourages people to let their emotions guide them.
Instead of racing from one activity to the next, people are prioritizing relaxation, soaking in the local culture, and exploring with intentional whimsy.
Whether that means a quiet stroll through town or people-watching at a neighborhood café, travelers are finding joy in the slower, more meaningful moments.
It’s about feeling good in the present, not just capturing the perfect Instagram shot.
3. Solo travel (especially for women)
A recent study found that 84% of solo travelers were women, so it should be no surprise that travel agencies are tailoring trips around the market’s growing desire for independence, personal empowerment, and adventure.
Whether it’s to discover a new city, dive into wellness retreats, or tackle expedition-style ventures, going it solo is about embracing the freedom to explore the world on your own terms.
For many, it’s not just about the destination; it’s about the thrill of navigating new experiences alone–and discovering who you might become once the dust settles.
4. Cybersecurity awareness in travel
With more people traveling alone to off-piste locations, more potential cybersecurity victims exist than ever. Knowing this, experts continue to urge travelers to be mindful as they enjoy their newfound, post-pandemic freedom.
The most common travel-related cyber threats to watch out for are:
- Phony public Wi-Fi networks encountered at airports and cafes
- Screening devices that pull data from your electronics
- Phishing emails with fake deals disguised as genuine travel agencies
However, you can stay cyber-safe on the road if you:
- Shut off devices at airports whenever they aren’t needed
- Use strong, unique, and complex passwords on all your devices
- Keep your devices up to date
- Use a VPN
Don’t you know why you should use a VPN yet? Using a VPN for an iPhone or any other device while traveling protects your personal data on unsecured networks. It ensures your sensitive information stays safe, no matter where you are.
5. Bleisure (combining business with leisure)
As remote office culture sees the lines between work and play blur, a growing number of professionals are embracing the concept of “bleisure.”
For younger generations especially, work is no longer confined to the traditional 9-to-5 routine.
Instead, digital nomads often work from scenic destinations or cultural hubs they’ve always wanted to visit.
For bleisure-lovers, it’s not about finding ways to escape your work. It’s about finding ways to make work your escape.
