Four Travel Trends for 2020
A new decade, the roaring 20s is upon us, and a new generation of travelers are shaping the industry based on their dynamic and rapidly changing needs. We explore some of the key trends for the 20s
Eco-Tourism
With activist like Greta Thunberg making a roar last year, charging people to be more eco-conscience in their everyday life, travel is no different. With the outpour of statistics on the side effects of climate change, we will see a rise in eco conscious traveling this decade, and The Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) are committed to this, as they have started fading out the use of plastics. The Taj Exotic Resort and Spa, Andamans is IHCL’s first zero single use plastic resort. And the Taj Safaris lodges have gone a step further, with sustainable tourism, by incorporating local communities in their business value chain.
Taj Safaris | Photo: supplied
Micro-Cations
With the millennial generation and gen-z’s who are always working, it has given rise to the idea of the short and sweet escape. Micro-cations will become a popular trend this year going into the 20s, as the ideal way to unwind and rejuvenate while disconnecting for a few days. The mini-cation to Cidade de Goa- IHCL SeleQtions in Goa, India; or, relax at the Taj Lands End, Mumbai that offers views of the Arabian Sea. Or, a micro-cation in your kinesthetic big city may be all you need. The St. Regis New York, the Ritz Paris, and Planters Inn in Charleston, South Carolina.
Religious Tourism
Spiritual tourism, religious tourism, or pilgrimage tourism- whatever you want to call it is a trend that’s seen to rev up in the 20s, as this emerging segment within tourism has rapidly increased over the years. It’s seen as a way for people to connect to their faith by seeing sites that are integral to their faith. From Mount Moriah, to the birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem, to Jesus’s baptism site in the River Jordan, to the Garden of Gethsemane, and to the All Saints Chruch where Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the Door of the church and where Protestantism was born- just to name a few.
Culinary Travel
As people have increasingly become foodies, culinary tourism is a main reason for travel, as travelers want an authentic culinary experience. The Campton Place Restaurant in San Francisco offers the best Michelin-starred Indian fusion menu. Dubai with saturation of hotel and tourism, brings an array of restaurants like Zengo, with its Pan-Asian cuisine from the Orient. And, Vancouver’s St. Lawrence Restaurant offers French cuisine with a Quebecois inspiration.
