Category Archives: online travel planning

From Forest Bathing to ‘Me Time’, Skyscanner Reveals Travel Forecast for 2023

According to Skyscanner survey of Americans, more travelers intend to travel in 2023 but look for value and experiences and will seek out travel companies like Alpaca Expeditions, which offers Inca Trail treks to Machu Picchu, Peru, a World Heritage Site, based on offering responsible, sustainable travel © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

  • Price led decision making will drive change in 2023: consumers will still travel but how they spend will differ  
  • Give us a break; 41% of consumers are planning more vacations in 2023 as 2022, and 46% are planning to do the same number of trips 
  • Savvy consumers are shopping around and pocket-friendly destinations are leading the way – Portugal rises in popularity and drops in price  
  • Swap sunbathing for forest bathing; getting amongst nature will be a priority – both for mental health and to avoid price peaks around beach destinations
  • ‘Me time’ set to make the mainstream next year; over half (53%) of travelers are considering a solo trip next year, with divorcees and singles over-indexing  
  • Sneaky searches: 64% will use a mobile device to plan or book their next trip, predominantly whilst at work 
  • Looking further into the future, Skyscanner predicts supersonic travel will redefine short-haul travel and one in three Americans (34%) expect to vacation among the stars in their lifetime

New research from global travel site Skyscanner reveals that US vacationers are expecting another strong year of travel despite economic uncertainty, but price-led decision making will drive change in 2023. With 86% of US travelers planning to spend the same if not more on travel abroad next year, how they are going to spend will differ. The extent of these changes is revealed in Skyscanner’s detailed Travel Trends 2023 report. 

Key trends to come out of the report show that US travelers don’t want the vacation to stop on a Monday morning, but to work where they could vacation and work too. US travelers are also craving experiences grounded in nature and wellbeing. A way to reset and feel normal again. Expect friends to ditch each other in favor of solo adventures, indulge in sneaky smartphone travel searches in the workplace and vacationers navigating the cost-of-living crisis to ensure their time away remains a priority.  

For travel in 2023, there’s a lot we want to do differently and some bold expectations on what future travel will entail. Future gazing sees one in three people expecting vacations amongst the stars to be a mainstream reality in their lifetime, while closer to home, advances in supersonic technology could re-define short-haul travel. 

“It is clear that we’re hungrier than ever to discover something new – even though we might have less in our pockets next year,” Naomi Hahn, Skyscanner’s VP of strategy, comments. “The aftermath of a pandemic has made travelers look for ways to make up for lost time and create new experiences and memories. 

“Consumers are putting value first, post pandemic. The squeeze on personal spending has shown that consumers will still prioritize getting away but are increasingly shopping around on metasearch platforms like Skyscanner. They are also employing simple travel hacks to ensure they get the most for their money, like being flexible in terms of dates and destination. The year looks set to be a year of new discoveries as emerging, pocket friendly destinations come to the fore.” 

Skyscanner commissioned its deep-dive research into consumer attitudes and behaviors, combined with proprietary search and booking insights, to reveal its travel predictions. Skyscanner’s report, Travel Trends 2023: The year of price-driven decisions analyzes survey data from 2,000 consumers in the US as well as extensive search and redirect data to provide unique insights into travel plans for 2023 and beyond.  

Key trends revealed:  

Travel remains a priority: Consumers today look to make better, more informed decisions about their discretionary spend, recent polling revealed: 46% of consumers are planning the same number of vacations in 2023 as 2022, and 41% are thinking of even going on more trips next year. Just 6% are planning to vacation less in 2023. The rising cost of living is still a concern, but 62% have decided to prioritize vacations next year over other big-ticket items.  

Shift in spending86% of US travelers are planning to spend the same if not more on travel abroad next year, while only 5% are planning to spend less. Travelers are increasingly demanding greater ticket transparency, as well as taking control of the value in their airfares, unbundling of price to build packaged airfares that suit their needs.   

Best value destinations for 2023: Skyscanner, which helps travelers compare pricing or choose travel based on budget, can also reveal the destinations that have seen the biggest price drops since pre-pandemic are: 

  1. Madeira, Portugal – 22% price drop   
  2. Sofia, Bulgaria – 18% price drop  
  3. Brussels, Belgium – 13% price drop 

Skyscanner’s 2023 hotlist: Travelers are increasingly on the hunt for less popular places that offer undiscovered experiences and unlock better value breaks. In fact, Skyscanner’s ‘Everywhere’ search is regularly in the top searches post pandemic. Check out some of the destinations that have seen the biggest increase in searches: 

Family hot list: 

  • Jacksonville, USA (570% increase in searches)  
  • Izmir, Turkey (168% increase in searches)  
  • Madeira, Portugal (123% increase in searches)  

Couples’ hotlist:  

  • Minneapolis, USA (409% increase in searches)  
  • Preveza, Greece (316% increase in searches)  
  • Santiago de Compostela, Spain (289% increase in searches)  

Solo traveling is no longer a niche; over one half of travelers (54%) are looking to escape solo next year. Divorcees (78%) ranked among the highest in their readiness to embark on a solo vacation in 2023 and look set to form a new trend of travelers who are ‘solo and self-focused’.  With an increasing number of friendship apps launched and platonic versions of dating apps growing in popularity, there is also the opportunity to hook up with new travel friends and companions. 

Sustainability; Sustainable travel continues to grow in consideration for travelers’ decision making: for more than 1 in 4 (24%) it’s even more important now, than prior to the pandemic. With price-led decision making and sustainable travel both top of mind, 11% are considering new, alternative destinations for their next trip.

Nature first; Wildlife spotting appears in the top 3 travel activities planned for vacations, suggesting the pandemic’s emphasis on getting outside for walks and connecting with the local environment is now transferring as a key component of travel plans.  Interacting with the environment and watching animals has mood-boosting properties.  Skyscanner recommends getting amongst green nature and experiencing the meditative effects of Shinrin-yoku, a new wellness trend that literally means ‘forest bathing’ in 2023. 

Making work work for you (and your wallet): 45% of Americans surveyed plan to work while on vacation next year (“bleisure travel”), a strategic move for which the top reason is ‘it means I get more time in destination’ (59%). Cross-referencing the long list of countries that now offer digital nomad visas with their cities’ cost of living index unearths a selection of savvy options for 2023. All cheaper than London’s cost of living index, Skyscanner’s favorites include: 

  1. Mexico City, Mexico – Skyscanner has also seen a 591% increase in searches 
  2. Zagreb, Croatia – Skyscanner has also seen a 344% increase in searches 
  3. Madrid, Spain      

Sneaky smartphone searches & social media’s influence; 2 out of 3 US travelers now use a mobile device to plan or book their next trip, with the most popular moment being during work hours or lunch break. Celebs are the number one source of travel inspiration in the US with Instagram being the most FOMO inducing – 52% of travelers stated they’re more likely to book a trip if they’ve seen it on the platform.  

  • So, for those wanting to get ahead of the Insta trend, Skyscanner can reveal their top spot for 2023 is Amman, Jordan (based on least amount of Instagram hashtags cross referenced x 195% increase in Skyscanner searches). 

Future travel; 2053 will mark 150 years of the Wright Brothers first airplane flight, a lot has changed since then and travelers are expecting significant developments to be mainstream when hitting that milestone in 30 years’ time.  

  • One in three people (34%) expect to vacation amongst the stars in their lifetime, climbing aboard space craft for Earth sight-seeing day trips to the edge of space and longer trips beyond 
  • Advances in supersonic technology could re-define short-haul travel and Skyscanner’s report reveals 32% of travelers believe it will be a mainstream flight option in the future 

Skyscanner’s new consumer research also reveals hot new trends around destinations and embracing “me-time”. From solo to supersonic travel, working while wandering the globe and social media’s influence on vacation selection, check out these and other findings in the full Travel Trends 2023: The year of price-driven decisions report.

Founded in 2003, Skyscanner is a leading travel marketplace dedicated to putting travelers first. Skyscanner helps millions of people in 52 countries and over 30 languages find the best travel options for flights, hotels and car rental every month. Skyscanner is available on desktop, mobile web and its highly rated app has over 110 million downloads. Working with 1200 travel partners, Skyscanner’s mission is to lead the global transformation to modern and sustainable travel.   

According to Skyscanner’s executives, the most popular search is for “anywhere. Our mission is to inspire.”

Visit Skyscanner.com

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Find Inspiring Destinations with Historic Hotels of America’s New Online Vacation Planning Tool

Historic Hotels of America has published new sites that make it easy for families to find historic hotels that make living in history fun. Travel to Tennessee and hop on board at the Chattanooga Choo Choo, a train-themed hotel, where you can actually sleep in one of 48 authentic Victgorian train cars and enjoy the magic of the 106-year old terminal station © 2015 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Historic Hotels of America has published new sites that make it easy for families to find historic hotels that make living in history fun. Travel to Tennessee and hop on board at the Chattanooga Choo Choo, a train-themed hotel, where you can actually sleep in one of 48 authentic Victgorian train cars and enjoy the magic of the 106-year old terminal station © 2015 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Historic Hotels of America has launched a new Super Site that lets you follow your American Dreams and choose from a variety of different vacation ideas, including family getaways, road trips, national parks and lands, culinary destinations, urban adventures, and more (http://americandreams.historichotels.org/index) featuring more than 260 historic hotels across the United States from Puerto Rico to Hawaii.

“Exploration has always driven the American Dream. It’s this inquisitive spirit that has helped write our history books, shape America’s iconic landmarks and pave new roads to make way for memorable journeys,” said Lawrence Horwitz, Executive Director – Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide.  “In honor of 350 years of travel, Historic Hotels of America has launched an all-new Super Site — American Dreams. This second Super Site follows on the heels of the Romance Super Site, which Historic Hotels of America launched in early February.”

Need a travel-inspired playlist? Check out these Road Trips Songs (http://americandreams.historichotels.org/road-trips/road-trip-songs)  Want to salute our freedom? Book a historic hotel then visit these five national monuments. Feeling hungry? Scope out the best BBQ joints, bourbon trails and wine country by perusing the site’s culinary adventures.

When visiting the American Dreams Super Site homepage, a number of navigational tools help travelers peruse the site’s many inspirations.   The main navigation: The site is divided into six content sections — Family Vacations, Road Trips, Heritage & Culture, Culinary Destinations and Urban Adventures — with each of these pages showcasing article thumbnails. When a consumer clicks on the image, they navigate to that feature story. These stories include hotel advertorials, which solely feature participating hotels, and topical editorials, which highlight select destinations based on editorial content.

Family Vacations

Focus your family vacations in and around historic hotels. Most historic hotels include family-fun recreation and kid-friendly attractions. Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or a family vacation, Historic Hotels of America offers up everything from family beach vacations to amusement park thrills.

Travel to Hershey, Pennsylvania, experience and Explore Hershey Park, an amusement park full of candy land thrills. After a day of fun, check into Hershey Park’s official resort, The Hotel Hershey®, built by chocolate magnate Milton S. Hershey in 1933. Or, travel to Tennessee and hop on board at the Chattanooga Choo Choo, a train-themed hotel. Once an operating train station in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the 106-year-old terminal station was converted into a beautiful hotel in 1973, where guests can opt to sleep in one of 48 authentic Victorian train cars.

Road Trips

Pack up the car for a road trip, or scenic drive and stay in a historic hotels (http://americandreams.historichotels.org/road-trips). For example and long before the “interstate” was born, road trippers looked to Route 66 to venture across America. This 2,448 mile stretch is among America’s most famous roads, connecting a number of states between Chicago to California, with historic hotels along the way.  Every road trip, whether spontaneous or planned, needs a few essential items — an adventurous route, road trip music and a reservation at Historic Hotels of America.

There are plenty of historic hotels located along Route 66, with comfortable lodging and fantastic amenities. In Oklahoma City, Skirvin Hilton provides respite for the weary road traveler. This 1911 beauty was named after its founder, oil tycoon William Balser “Bill” Skirvin. Meanwhile, Colcord Hotel, the city’s first skyscraper, is another overnight stop in Oklahoma City. For a one-of-a-kind Historic Hotel experience, stray an hour away from Route 66 to stay at La Fonda in Santa Fe. Well worth the extra miles, you’ll experience an authentic Pueblo-style inn.

National Parks & Lands

Discover and Explore parks, lands, and heritage sites in and around historic hotels across the nation (http://americandreams.historichotels.org/national-parks). America is filled with innumerable treasures. Here’s a nod to the many parks, forests, monuments and byways that have long captured the hearts of the American traveler.  For example, he Appalachian Mountains offer up the east’s breathtaking Blue Ridge Parkway and a myriad of national parks, protected forests many with nearby historic hotels. Scattered throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains, quant towns greet America’s road trippers, like Banner Elk, North Carolina, where the population barely peaks 1,000. In Banner Elk, The Mast Farm Inn provides a historic country retreat for travelers. The main inn features charming rooms with four-posters beds, claw-foot tubs and endless farmhouse charm.

At the other end of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the boarder of North Carolina and Tennessee. Just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in Asheville, North Carolina, one of the country’s most celebrated resorts calls the Blue Ridge Mountains home — The Omni Grove Park Inn. This AAA Four Diamond Property is listed on Fodor’s “Top 10 Luxury Spa Resorts” and in Travel + Leisure’s rankings of “Top Spa Resorts” in the world.

Heritage & Cultural Getaways

Interested in ghost stories and the paranormal? Make your vacation truly memorable. Add a little heritage and a dash of culture by visiting one of many attractions near Historic Hotels of America (http://americandreams.historichotels.org/heritage-culture). Take in a nostalgic festival, visit a national monument or explore a historic battlefield. Your adventure awaits.  We have legendary stories to share at Historic Hotels of America.

Many historic hotels are rumored to have played host to more than just their paying customers. Whether or not you believe these ghosts stories, one thing is certain — these friendly hauntings leave guests talking about their hotel experience for years!  Known as “America’s most haunted hotel,” the ghost stories are plentiful at 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa. It’s said that one of the Irish stonemasons, known as “Michael,” plunged to his death after falling from Room 218 during hotel construction. Guests report a number of strange activities from this room.

The inspiration for Stephen King’s “The Shining,” The Stanley has lots of haunting appeal, especially when guests tour the creepy underground tunnel that runs beneath the hotel. But that’s not the hotel’s most haunting aspect. The hotel’s original owner, F.O. Stanley is known to haunt the hotel. He and his wife have been seen dressed in formal attire on the main staircase and in other public areas, and Flora’s piano occasionally echoes in the ballroom.

Culinary Destinations

Experience culinary destinations, spirits, wine, food, festivals and trails throughout the country (http://americandreams.historichotels.org/culinary-destinations). There’s nothing like local flavor to add a little extra zing to your trip. From food festivals to fine dining, from Sonoma’s Wine Country to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Historic Hotels of America tips its glass to these culinary destinations.  Interested in the latest vintages in the heart of Napa Valley? Nestled into the heart of Napa Valley, the Napa River Inn stands out as an upscale boutique hotel. The inn adjoins the historic Napa Mill, which offers dining, shopping and 7,300 square feet of outdoor reception space in the Riverbend Performance Plaza for wine-induced celebrations.

For more then 200 years, generations of Bourbon brewers handed down secret-family recipes and time-honored processes that shaped today’s legendary Kentucky distilleries. Experience the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, and check into a Historic Hotel of America to enjoy more Kentucky history. Not far from the Bourbon Trail is The Seelbach Hilton, the height of Kentucky luxury. During the roaring 1920s, The Seelbach was the most glamorous spot for cards, attracting infamous gangsters, like Al Capone and the Beer Baron of the Bronx, during Prohibition.

Urban Adventures

Bustling city centers located throughout the United States from New York to San Francisco are a great way to experience famous cultural icons, museums, and history while staying at nearby historic hotels (http://americandreams.historichotels.org/urban-adventures). Choose from 11 hotels in Washington, DC. The Jefferson, DC is a luxury hotel that celebrates and embodies the spirit of one of our founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson. Just four blocks from The White House, this downtown hotel affords a treasured account of its significant history alongside thoughtfully appointed accommodations, opulent meeting rooms, and gracious hospitality and service.

Discounts from Historic Hotels Worldwide

National Trust for Historic Preservation members save up to 30% off best available rates at participating Historic Hotels Worldwide. HistoricHotelsWorldwide.com promotes heritage and cultural travel by featuring a prestigious collection of historic treasures, including historic hotels, castles, chateaux, palaces, monasteries, haciendas and other historical lodging properties spanning twelve centuries.

Historic Hotels of America is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation® for recognizing and celebrating the finest Historic Hotels. Historic Hotels of America was founded in 1989 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation with 32 charter members. Today, Historic Hotels of America has more than 260 historic hotels. These historic hotels have all faithfully maintained their authenticity, sense of place, and architectural integrity in the United States of America, including 44 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Historic Hotels of America is comprised of mostly independently owned and operated properties.  More than 30 of the world’s finest hospitality brands, chains, and collections are represented in Historic Hotels of America. To be nominated and selected for membership into this prestigious program, a hotel must be at least 50 years old; has been designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark or listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; and recognized as having historic significance.

For more information, visit HistoricHotels.org. To receive the free Discover & Explore e-newsletter each month with advance notice about Insiders Savings, special discounts, epic package, and up and coming events in historic hotels in 30 countries, plus free or reduced rate admission to historic and cultural sites, click here.

To view the Historic Hotels of America 2015 Annual Directory eBook, click here or visit HistoricHotels.org/Directory to download the app.

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