American travelers interested in unique experiences
TravelBizNews —
Bellevue, Washington – American travelers are increasingly interested in unique and novel experiences according to Expedia reports.
Expedia.com analyzed thousands of data points this year to identify the top trends in travel for 2018.
Highlights from the report include the rise of secondary destinations like Chiang Mai, the Azores and Cartagena, and non-traditional lodging options such as tentalows and houseboats.
In the activities and attractions space, observation decks and architectural landmarks saw the biggest growth, with cooking classes and other culinary experiences close behind.
“In this day and age, it’s possible to have the exact type of experience and trip you want, whether it’s visiting a breathtaking island off Portugal, or staying on a family farm where you can gather your own fresh eggs in the morning,” says John Morrey, SVP Brand Expedia.
Highlights from Expedia’s 2018 Year in Review, including trends across destinations, air travel, lodging and activities.
U.S. travelers are venturing beyond the primary tourist stops to seek out the culturally-rich offerings of secondary cities. Here are some of the most noteworthy trending destinations for 2018, all of which saw double- or triple-digit growth from last year:
Portugal: Azores
Thailand: Chiang Mai
United Kingdom: Inverness and Belfast
Malta: Valletta
Alaska: Kenai and Kodiak
Australia: Brisbane and Perth
Ecuador: Cuenca
Croatia: Zagreb
Colombia: Cartagena
Spain: Seville
While traditional resorts and hotels continue to be a favorite for U.S. travelers, Expedia.com data shows a growing interest in alternative lodging options.
Tentalows (cross between a tent and a bungalow) – up 135 percent year-over-year
Chalets – up 85 percent year-over-year
Villas – up more than 45 percent year-over-year
Agritourism properties – up more than 40 percent year-over-year
Houseboats – up more than 35 percent year-over-year
Similarly , activities and experiences are increasingly popular as travelers look to personalize and customize their vacations. These are the fastest-growing activity categories in 2018 for the U.S.:
Fastest-growing category: Attractions. Observation decks and architectural landmarks are leading the pack, with the Eiffel Tower, Rome’s Colosseum, the 360 Chicago Observation Deck and the High Roller Observation Wheel in Las Vegas among the top trending attractions.
Runner-up: Tours & Sightseeing. Walking and hop-on-hop-off bus tours remain popular among travelers visiting big cities.
Third place: Shopping & Culinary Experiences round out the top categories, as travelers look to get the most out of their destinations and sample local flavors.
Expedia.com is one of the world’s largest full service travel sites, helping millions of travelers per month easily plan and book travel. Source : Expedia.com
Dec. 9 , 2018
Photo : Chiang Mai , Thailand / AFP
