Travel Trends for 2017 that will Drive the Global Tourism Industry

Travel Trends for 2017 that will Drive the Global Tourism Industry

Tour and activity providers are used to spotting trends. It's a natural part of the trade in an industry that changes globally. What was successful one year might not work as well in the next one.

1. Millennials

Millennials are officially the largest generation in history, beating out Baby Boomers. As the youngest generation with disposable income, they have secured their status as leaders in travel and tourism.

They are helping to decide what the major trends and tastes of the new year will be and are not shy about getting exactly what they want, how they want it. When planning travel, Millennials are used to having their options conveniently available to them. They want to be able to research and book their trips and tours online.

2. Active & Adventure Trips

According to Virtuoso, the #2 trend for 2017 is active and adventure travel. These experiences include things like "an African safari, swimming with whale sharks in Mexico or Australia, or hiking the Swiss Alps". For 2017, adventure activities such as safaris, hiking and cycling are expected to be the stand out choices.

3. Female Solo Travel

Today, 80% of travel decisions are made by women. Whether married, single or divorced, women are leading the way and the travel industry is taking notice. Today's female travelers are bold, independent and looking to explore new and raw experiences. They have their own say of where to take a vacation, how to get there, and many are choosing to go solo.

4. Food Tourism

When it comes to travel it always comes down to food at some point, doesn't it? Food tourism has become an emerging trend among travelers everywhere and tourism experts have taken notice. It includes cooking courses, farm tours and the classic food markets, which make up about 95% of these experiences.

These experiences are closely tied to the culture of the location. Many travelers consider it to be one of the best ways to get to know the story of the place they're traveling to.

5. Mobile Photography

It shouldn't be surprising that tourists in 2017 are looking for ways to document their travels. Given the brilliance of modern mobile phone cameras, it's only natural that more and more travelers are using their devices to capture these notable moments.