3 Big Travel Trends for 2018
Short of consulting a crystal ball, tarot cards, or a fortune-teller, there’s no way to say for sure what 2018 will bring, but occult efforts aside, travel-industry intelligence brand Skift’s annual Megatrends report is as good a predictor as you’ll find. Thanks to a wealth of data-driven analysis and inside baseball–style information, the report considers the factors that will affect how we travel in 2018—and beyond. Here are three things to watch for in the months to come.
1. WEATHER THREATENS THE STATUS QUO
From hurricanes to wildfires, last year saw a host of natural disasters, and extreme weather conditions show no signs of abating in 2018. With coastal cities at risk of flooding and temperatures changing permanently in regions once known for their steady climes, tourist destinations are adjusting their approach to global warming—and tourists themselves should do the same. That means establishing new routines in the planning stages of your trips: researching travel insurance before you buy and choosing “cancel for any reason” coverage, opting for accommodations with flexible cancellation policies, planning activities that aren’t solely weather dependent, and, when necessary, choosing alternate destinations entirely. The effects of global warming are wide-ranging and long-term, so this one is less of a trend and more of paradigm shift. Don’t expect things to get back to normal anytime soon.
2. DESTINATIONS ACCOMMODATE LOCALS AND VISITORS
When a wave of anti-tourism protests swept across Europe last summer, it was the result of long-simmering local frustration with overdevelopment and the crowds that go hand in hand with unrestricted growth. Cities that once welcomed the tourist dollar—often at the expense of their own residents—are experiencing heavy backlash and scrambling to course-correct: Authorities in Barcelona, for example, are cracking down on everything from unlicensed Airbnb rentals to Segway tours in the city center, and cruise-ship ports such as Venice and Dubrovnik now restrict the number of visitors allowed at a local attraction or hot spot at a time. With these cities serving as a cautionary tale, many destinations are adopting a “share the wealth” policy to fix the congestion problem, funneling visitors from high-traffic urban areas to lesser-known pockets of the country—which is great news for travelers who prefer a more niche experience. This year, look for an increased focus on hyper-local culture, cuisine, and industry (think: sipping cava in the Spanish countryside instead of tooling around on a scooter in the streets of Barcelona).
3. RESTAURANTS OFFER AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE
If you’d rather starve than patronize yet another cookie-cutter establishment with a predictable menu and cliched decor, have we got good news for you. The new crop of restaurants is moving away from the farmhouse-chic aesthetic, embracing maximalist design, and creating an atmosphere that highlights a sense of place and personality, from quirky, Instagrammable details like neon signage to full-on immersive experiences that turn a place a destination. In an increasingly crowded marketplace littered with eat-in and takeaway options, restaurants are looking for a leg up on the competition, and unique, inviting spaces provide just that. There’s never been a better time to be a destination diner—in 2018, expect to see even more restaurants aiming to be places where guests feel at home, put down their phones, and participate in every minute of their meal.