Rise in City Jumping, Spiritual Sidequests and
Feedbooking among top travel predictions for travel by 2030
STAMFORD, Conn., Jan. 23,
2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Out with single-stop
journeys, in with city jumping adventures. Bid farewell to
self-care trips and welcome journeys of self-discovery and
cosmetic-cations. Loyalty programs take a back seat as
price-conscious travelers seek better deals.
Today, KAYAK, the world's leading travel search engine, is
rolling out its WTF - What the Future - report, giving travelers a
first look at the hottest travel trends shaping the next 5
years.
Diving into survey insights from over 9,000 individuals spanning
9 countries, exclusive interviews with KAYAK executives, and an
in-depth analysis of KAYAK's billions of searches, KAYAK teamed up
with The Future Laboratory, a trailblazer in trend forecasting, to
unveil eight groundbreaking travel trends set to dominate your
social media feeds and shape the future of travel by 2025.
So… What's The Future? KAYAK's Travel Predictions for
2030
AI Agents
A new wave of travel agents is emerging,
focusing on personalized travel experiences. Over one third (36%)
of Americans would use AI for travel recommendations and
inspiration. Another third wish AI could simplify comparing flight
and hotel prices (33% and 34%) . While 71% of Americans have yet to
try AI for trip planning, by 2030, AI assistants will be more
commonly used.
"AI is already rapidly improving customer support for travel
delays and itinerary changes. It's also suggesting personalized
recommendations of places to visit and things to do. The next big
step forward will be automated bookings - and we're already making
KAYAK AI agent-friendly." - Steve
Hafner, CEO of KAYAK
City Jumpin', Jumpin'
By 2030, travelers will
prioritize multi-stop trips over single destination vacations.
Looking ahead to next year, there's already 45% of Americans who
are planning to "city jump" or visit multiple cities in a single
vacation. Why? 47% want to experience more during their trip and
49% are all about affordability. This year, 93% of Americans aim to
explore 1 to 5 cities per trip. And by 2030, that number could
double.
Vitamin T
By 2030, the value of a trip will hinge on
wellness scores. KAYAK notes a surge in wellness travel, with pools
as the top searched hotel amenity globally, followed by hot tubs,
spas, and fitness facilities. 60% of travelers prioritize
relaxation, while 13% emphasize health and wellness. Destinations
promoting longevity will become sought-after additions to
travelers' bucket lists.
- A Cosmetic-cation Boom For Americans
- It's not just wellness scores that will be all the rage by
2030. If you've ever heard of a healthcation then get ready
for a cosmetic-cation (i.e. a trip for a cosmetic or beauty
procedure). While only a small group have jetted off for cosmetic
treatments abroad, 1 in 8 have considered it, hinting at a future
surge, with another 1 in 10 ready to go test it out. For those who
HAVE traveled for a cosmetic-cation, affordability (for 61%) is the
key factor. With healthcare expenses climbing, brace yourself for
more international jaunts for beauty enhancements by 2030! Hair
transplants in Turkey,
anyone?
Feedbooking
A social shopping surge is on the horizon.
Nearly half of Americans (43%) have made purchases influenced by
social media, with another 20% having considered it. Facebook and
Instagram are top influencers, with over a quarter of Americans
booking a trip after seeing a post. Current social purchases run
$200 or less, but by 2030, KAYAK
expects social media to become a travel shopping hub, boosting
purchase numbers.
Travel is Gonna be LIT (Low Intensity
Trips)
Off-season adventures await. For more than one third
of Americans (36%), off-season travel is preferred to avoid the
crowds, even if it means a compromise on the weather. Not to
mention the savings! Opting for shoulder season travel in
Europe can slash costs by up to
27% compared to peak periods. KAYAK predicts a rise in offbeat
destinations driven by better prices and more conscious traveler
choices in the next 5 years.
Virtual Voyages
Here comes a travel tech revolution. 1
in 7 Americans are embracing VR headsets to explore destinations
before booking, and by 2030, holographic concierges and automatic
airfare refunds could be the norm. Travelers are excited about
virtual hotel room previews (35%) and in-flight VR entertainment
(10%) for an immersive journey.
Spiritual Sidequests
Get ready to soar with a
spiritual sidequest. 1 in 6 Americans are eyeing silent retreats to
disconnect from their phones, while 1 in 14 are keen on psychedelic
therapy trips abroad. These trends are primed to skyrocket in the
next 5 years!
Disloyalty Programs
Americans have a love-hate
relationship with loyalty programs, which we predict will continue
to evolve in the next 5 years. Now, about 22% of Americans are in
travel loyalty programs, but 21% feel price comparison tools (like
KAYAK!) offer better value than traditional airline rewards. This
is why we'll start to see loyalty programs shift to cater to more
price-conscious travelers. With 72% expecting pricier travel ahead,
saving is key - travelers are ready to switch brands to be loyal to
the deal instead.
Learn more about KAYAK's WTF predictions HERE.
Methodology
Global Survey insights
PureSpectrum interviewed 9112
respondents aged 18+ in the US, UK, Canada, Brazil, France, Germany, Denmark and Sweden who travel for leisure purposes
internationally at least once a year. The survey was conducted
using an online methodology. A sample of 2000 people were polled in
the US, and all other markets had a targeted minimum sample of 1000
completes. The research fieldwork was conducted from August 13 - 20, 2024.
US Survey insights
This survey has been conducted
using an online interview administered to members of the YouGov Plc
panel of individuals who have agreed to take part in surveys. Total
sample size was 1091 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 19th
- 20th December 2024. The survey was
carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are
representative of all US adults (aged 18+).
KAYAK data analysis
Based on hotel searches made on
KAYAK and associated brands in the period between September 1, 2023 and September 15, 2024 for stays between January 1, 2024 - December
31, 2024.
About KAYAK
KAYAK, part of Booking Holdings (NASDAQ:
BKNG), is the world's leading travel search engine. With billions
of queries across our platforms, we help people find their perfect
flight, stay, rental car and vacation package. We also support
business travelers with our corporate travel solution.
About The Future Laboratory
The Future Laboratory is
one of the world's most renowned futures consultancies. With a
unique blend of trend forecasting, consumer insight, brand strategy
and innovation, the company has helped to shape, inspire and
future-proof organisations globally since 2001.
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SOURCE KAYAK
