6 Trends that will continue to shape the Travel and Tourism Industry in 2023

2022 is over and 2023 is already underway, bringing us lots of new opportunities and challenges. The past year has flown by, and despite its difficulties, it was an amazing year for us here at Nezasa!

While 2022 was a great year for travel, 2023 is set to be even better as restrictions and covid testing are now a thing of the past. Both consumers and businesses are much more optimistic than they were a year ago, and destinations are seeing a boom in visitors as travel is set to hit pre-pandemic levels. Booking patterns are also changing, with travellers booking trips much further in advance than they were last year. 

However, global challenges such as staff shortages, the increasing cost of living and economic and political instability are having huge impacts on the sector. 

The travel industry has transformed dramatically over the past few years, and these changes have made way for a number of trends that will be important going forward. Booking.com states that 2023 will be the year of reimagining travel, with the coming months set to show us what the next era of travel is going to look like. 

From wellness retreats and culture shocks to budget hacks and technology, here are our predictions for the industry this year. 

Explore New Cultures

2023 is the year of culture shock; according to research by Booking.com, 73% of travellers want to travel outside of their comfort zone this year. Now that borders are open and consumer confidence has increased, travellers are increasingly looking to explore far-flung destinations, try new things and experience different cultures. 

Asia reopened to international visitors last year, and other long-haul destinations such as Latin America are set to be big in 2023. However, this trend will also include exploring hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path destinations that are closer to home.

Wellness and spirituality

The wellness industry has seen rapid growth over the past few years, and we are now prioritising our mental and physical well-being more than ever. 

Within the travel industry, trips such as mindfulness, meditation and yoga retreats and even psychedelic experiences are seeing an increase. There is a current focus on community and connecting with others, and these types of retreats also allow travellers to connect with like-minded individuals.

Connection with nature

Adding on to wellness and spirituality, connection with nature and going off-grid are travel trends that have been growing over the past few years. Many of us began to prioritise spending time in the great outdoors during the pandemic, and this is set to stay, becoming a crucial part of our travel plans going forward. 

As we have gone back to our normal routines and day-to-day lives, the focus is now on escaping into nature as a way to disconnect. Breaks such as hiking trips and wildlife spotting are at the top of travellers’ lists this year.

Budget-conscious travel

With the current economic crisis and the increasing cost of living, consumers are having to be much more budget-conscious this year. Despite this, travel is still a priority. 

However, travellers will choose how they spend their money in a more savvy way, looking for deals, travel hacks and loyalty programs as a way to save money. Increased confidence means that we can now plan further ahead, and many travellers are also choosing to travel off-season in order to get more budget-friendly deals.

Rethinking work and travel

With the rise of remote work due to the pandemic, workations became popular over the past couple of years. Although the digital nomad trend is set to continue, this year many of us are looking for strictly work-free trips in order to disconnect. 

Corporate retreats are also a huge trend going into this year, allowing companies that chose to stay fully remote or hybrid to bring together their team, increase motivation and promote employee wellbeing. 

Saying this, the introduction of digital nomad visas in countries such as Croatia, Spain, Mexico and Barbados means that there is no stopping work and travel, but may make way for a slower-paced way of travel with an emphasis on downtime. 

Added value

According to the Skyscanner 2023 travel trends report, in 2023 we will see a change in the way consumers think about value, with many prioritising price transparency and customisation. And, with many on a tighter budget, brands will have to convey their specific value offering to consumers. 

87% of consumers are more likely to book their trips with travel websites or apps that offer personalised experiences. Technology like our TripBuilder software allows travel businesses to customise their clients’ itineraries, and with more and more travellers looking to book their trips with travel agencies or tour operators for added peace of mind and flexibility, software like ours will become even more necessary.

How Nezasa is Preparing for 2023

Here at Nezasa we are committed to continually providing our customers with the most cutting-edge, innovative and efficient software solutions on the market. We are confident that 2023 will bring lots of new opportunities for businesses in the travel sector. 

We are also excited to take part in upcoming industry events such as WTM Latam in April and WTM London in November, and we are sure there will be many more to come as the year goes on. Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date with the latest Nezasa news and to find out what we’re up to in 2023!