In 2023, what are the new expectations of travelers ,and how can travel industry operators seize new business opportunities? Let's explore five New travel trends together and propose methods for analyzing and keeping up with these trends.
Rise of Digital Tools
Due to the pandemic, people have had fewer opportunities for face-to-face communication, and consumers are increasingly valuing the convenience of online communication, transparency in pricing, and refund mechanisms. Therefore, the level of digitization by businesses directly affects consumer trust and loyalty.
Many travel industry operators have begun utilizing digital software tools to provide travelers with more diverse, convenient, and safe services, such as online ticketing, experience bookings, online itineraries, digital payments, and more. At the same time, government departments are actively promoting the application of digital technology in the travel industry, integrating various tourism information, providing one-stop services, and enhancing touchless services.
Pre-booking Trend
In the past, consumers who enjoyed independent travel would opt for flexible, spontaneous itineraries, arranging local activities after booking transportation and accommodation (flight and hotel). However, the increasing number of consumers now prefer to pre-book their itineraries to reduce uncertainty during travel, such as queuing time, on-site price comparisons, and language barriers. Even when there are numerous similar businesses at the destination, pre-booking activities have become the preferred choice for consumers during their travels.
This trend has brought significant changes to the travel industry, as travel operators need to provide convenient and fast booking websites, digital tickets, and more. Offering early bird discounts not only encourages consumers to pre-book and attracts more bookings but also helps improve operational efficiency for businesses.
More and more consumers indicate that they rely on photos or reviews shared by friends, influencers, or idols when evaluating travel destinations and itineraries. They pay closer attention to factors such as the popularity of attractions, reputation, local characteristics, and experiences.
Therefore, travel industry operators should actively strengthen their management of social media, establish a trustworthy brand image, publish high-quality content, and engage with consumers, actively responding to their reviews. Additionally, collaborating with influencers has become a necessary means to attract traffic, leveraging their recommendations and shares to attract more consumers.
After spending extended periods at home or workplaces in recent years, many consumers have developed new ideas about their travel preferences. They now yearn for a connection with nature and seek to relax their minds and heal their bodies during their journeys. Healing activities such as yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and healthy diets have become popular in travel itineraries. Travelers can participate in morning yoga sessions on the beach or interact with nature in serene valleys.
In response to this trend, travel industry operators should seize the opportunity and offer travel experiences that cater to the holistic healing needs of their customers, enabling them to enjoy comprehensive physical and mental well-being during their trips.
New Experiences in Deep Travel
Many consumers are no longer seeking fast, cheap, mass-market travel experiences. Instead, they are looking for more in-depth, meaningful, and responsible travel. They value the quality and experience of their journeys and are inclined to support local culture and industries. They hope to authentically engage with the local qualities and experiences, while also caring about the impact of their travels on the environment and society.
For example, when visiting Thailand, besides enjoying traditional spa massages, an increasing number of travelers book authentic Thai cooking classes to delve into the local culinary culture. When traveling to Japan, donning traditional kimono and strolling through picturesque streets while visiting popular temples has become a must-do for many tourists. This kind of immersive cultural experience has become increasingly popular among travelers.
In line with the post-pandemic travel trends, rezio is actively assisting domestic and international travel businesses in enhancing their digital tools to enhance the traveler's experience. Through flexible and modular configurations, travel businesses can customize diverse itinerary options. Would you like to empower your travel business with a powerful cloud-based system that supports multiple languages and currencies for booking? Feel free to contact us to apply for a free trial and let rezio inject new vitality into your travel experience business!