NEW YORK—Booking.com predicts 2020 will be a year of travel exploration like never before, fueled by technology as well as a growing sense of responsibility and deeper connection with the people and places we visit. Here are the top travel trends as revealed by Booking.com for the year ahead:
The Rise of the ‘Second City’ Traveler
Second-city travel—the exploration of lesser known destinations in a bid to reduce over-tourism—will take a leap forward in 2020. Forty seven percent of American travelers would swap their original destination for a lesser-known, but similar alternative, if they knew it would leave less of an environmental impact.
Tech-Spect the Unexpected
Next year will see travelers put key aspects of their decision-making process even more firmly in the hands of technology. Fifty nine percent of American travelers want technology to offer them a wildcard and surprise options that would introduce them to something entirely new.
Slo-Mo is the New #FOMO
Instead of experiencing the constant fear of missing out (FOMO), travel in 2020 will be all about taking it slow and focusing on the journey. Forty nine percent of travelers plan to take slower modes of transport to reduce their environmental impact and 66% would prefer to take a longer route to experience more of the journey itself.
