American Express has released its 2023 Global Travel Trends Report, which uncovers the driving forces behind global traveler behaviors and how these factors are shaping the future of travel.
The report, based on survey data from travelers from the United States, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Japan, India and the United Kingdom, found that 85% of respondents surveyed say they plan to take two or more leisure trips in 2023, 74% of respondents surveyed agree that they care more about creating a travel experience that meets their expectations than about the cost, and 78% of respondents surveyed agree they see leisure travel as an important budget priority.
The report highlights four global trends inspiring people to travel this year.
These trends are
1. Traveling Off The Beaten Path
2. The Rise of “Set-Jetting”
3. Delicious Destinations
4. A Wellness Wave
1. Traveling Off The Beaten Path
Travelers want authentic experiences that give them a taste of local culture and let them explore hidden gems that friends back home don’t know about. They also want to know that the decisions they make while traveling can have a positive impact on the destinations they visit, and want the money that they spend on vacation to support the local community.
When asked which travel activities they would undertake to support a destination’s local economy, the most respondents cited eating at local restaurants (75%), followed by shopping at local businesses (63%), walking to local/hole-in-the-wall restaurants, shops, and attractions (60%), and visiting cultural sites like museums and landmarks (59%).
2. The Rise of “Set-Jetting”
Travelers are flocking to places that captivate them onscreen, with travel inspiration found anywhere from smartphones and binge-worthy TV series.
Inspirations driven by Social Media, TV, Movies
75% of respondents agree that they have been inspired to travel to a specific destination by social media.
64% of respondents agree that they have been inspired to travel to a destination after seeing it featured on a TV show, news source, or movie .
64% of respondents agree that they like to watch travel TV shows to know what to do when they visit a destination.
3. Delicious Destinations
People are choosing their next travel destination based on what they’ll eat—from top restaurants, to local favorites, to cooking classes.
86% of Gen-Z and Millennial respondents are open to venturing out of their comfort zone and trying new foods while traveling – compared to 84% of respondents overall.
81% of respondents agree that trying local foods and cuisines is the part of traveling they look forward to most
79% of respondents like to explore new food options they’ve never had before when traveling
72% of respondents agree that they are looking to travel internationally to experience cuisines from other cultures
4. A Wellness Wave
Travelers want to relax and unplug from busy lives – and are gravitating toward destinations and resorts that will help them decompress and feel healthier.
88% of respondents say that they plan to spend the same or more on wellness vacations this year, compared to previous years
82% of respondents consider walking their favorite activity for staying healthy while traveling
81% of respondents look forward to unplugging while on vacation to live in the moment
A large majority (75%) of respondents agree that they are planning to decrease screen time
while traveling to better their mental health and/or seeking to surround themselves with nature to focus on mental clarity (68%).
73% of respondents are planning vacations to better their mental, physical, and emotional health in 2023
72% of respondents say they are more focused on self-care than they were a year ago.
