Travel Predictions
2020

From tech-generated recommendations, to ‘second city’ exploration – Booking.com unveils what will be big in travel in the year ahead.

Booking.com draws on its expertise as a leader in travel and technology as well as research among more than 22,000 travelers across 29 markets and insights from over 180 million verified guest reviews, to identify key travel trends we can expect to see come to life in the year ahead, and beyond.

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Key Findings

As we enter not just a new year but a new decade, our travel needs, behaviors and wants continue to evolve. The world today, like the explorers themselves, does not sit still. With a mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world, Booking.com predicts that 2020 will be a year of travel exploration like never before, fueled by technology as well as a growing sense of responsibility and deeper connection with the people and places we visit.

1

The rise of the
‘second city’ traveler

2

Tech-spect the
unexpected

3

Slo-Mo is the new
#FOMO

4

Discovering the all-
amusive escape

5

Pets in the priority
lane

6

Making great
memories with
‘grand’ getaways

7

Race to the
reservation

8

Fast track to long-
term travel

9

10 top trending destinations for 2020

The rise of the ‘second city’ traveler

Second-city travel, meaning the exploration of lesser known destinations in a bid to reduce over-tourism and protect the environment, will take a leap forward in the year ahead, with

0 of global travelers wanting to play a part in reducing over-tourism (56% of 18-25 year olds).

0

stating they would swap their original destination for a lesser known but similar alternative if they knew it’d leave less of an impact. To find out more about regional differences, click here.

0 of global travelers keen to have access to a service (app/website) that recommends destinations where an increase in tourism would have a positive impact on the local community.

The rise of the 'second city' traveler

54%

Argentina

48%

Australia

39%

Belgium

53%

Brazil

45%

Canada

62%

China

65%

Colombia

48%

Croatia

41%

Denmark

54%

France

47%

Germany

55%

Hong Kong

66%

India

51%

Indonesia

44%

Israel

53%

Italy

23%

Japan

63%

Mexico

36%

Netherlands

44%

New Zealand

57%

Russia

54%

Singapore

44%

South Korea

61%

Spain

46%

Sweden

53%

Taiwan

65%

Thailand

47%

United Kingdom

47%

United States

Tech-spect the unexpected

2020 will see travelers put key aspects of their decision-making process even more firmly in the hands of technology. Smart, trusted, tech-led recommendations will connect us to a myriad of new experiences that might not otherwise have crossed our path, while also saving time (as well as screen-time) and enabling us to max out every minute of ‘now’ while on vacation. With

0 of global travelers saying they want tech to offer them ‘wildcard’ and surprise options that would introduce them to something entirely new.

0

stating they will use an app that makes it fast and easy to explore and book activities in real time while traveling. Click here to find out more.

0 will use an app that allows them to pre-plan their activities, so that they always have the answers in one place.

Expect to see even more applications of Artificial Intelligence offering new suggestions of destinations to visit, places to stay and things to do based on your current preferences, previous trips and key contextual factors such as weather and popularity.

Tech-spect the unexpected

46%

Argentina

42%

Australia

24%

Belgium

59%

Brazil

37%

Canada

71%

China

56%

Colombia

34%

Croatia

25%

Denmark

36%

France

30%

Germany

44%

Hong Kong

69%

India

61%

Indonesia

47%

Israel

39%

Italy

27%

Japan

63%

Mexico

29%

Netherlands

40%

New Zealand

46%

Russia

56%

Singapore

50%

South Korea

45%

Spain

26%

Sweden

50%

Taiwan

64%

Thailand

36%

United Kingdom

49%

United States

Slo-Mo is the new #FOMO

Instead of experiencing the constant fear of missing out (FOMO) and trying to speed through as much as possible, travel in 2020 will be all about taking it slow. Starting with the journey itself, with

0 of travelers planning to take longer to get to their destination to reduce their environmental impact.

0 looking to take a longer route to experience more of the journey, such as the scenery.

0 wanting to go on a trip where the transportation is part of the experience.

0 being interested in taking a historical train journey (e.g. Flying Scotsman, Orient Express).

0

saying they wouldn’t mind spending longer traveling to their destination if they were taking a unique mode of transport. Click here to find out more about the countries that agree with this most.

Slo-Mo is the new #FOMO

55%

Argentina

59%

Australia

35%

Belgium

62%

Brazil

56%

Canada

69%

China

65%

Colombia

70%

Croatia

42%

Denmark

51%

France

40%

Germany

55%

Hong Kong

72%

India

67%

Indonesia

44%

Israel

51%

Italy

34%

Japan

60%

Mexico

40%

Netherlands

57%

New Zealand

65%

Russia

62%

Singapore

49%

South Korea

53%

Spain

36%

Sweden

61%

Taiwan

75%

Thailand

51%

United Kingdom

60%

United States

Discovering the all- amusive escape

A fast-paced world means most of us are often time poor – a notion that doesn’t stop at vacations. Travelers will want to be as time-efficient as possible on vacation, so instead of settling into one theme for the entire vacation, 2020 will see a rise in travelers exploring the ‘all-amusive’, by visiting destinations that offer an array of enriching experiences and attractions, with

0

of global travelers saying they want to go on one long trip to a destination that has all of their favorite activities and sights close together. Click here to find out more about the countries that agree with this most.

0 agreeing that they would choose a destination that offers all of their favorite activities and sights near each other to save travel time.

From mountains to beaches, culture, and nightlife, Booking. com travelers identified Montevideo, Ilhabela and Naha as top destinations, amongst others, that offer these all- amusive experiences.

Discovering the all-amusive escape

59%

Argentina

55%

Australia

42%

Belgium

58%

Brazil

57%

Canada

61%

China

67%

Colombia

40%

Croatia

43%

Denmark

52%

France

45%

Germany

48%

Hong Kong

72%

India

68%

Indonesia

48%

Israel

50%

Italy

31%

Japan

65%

Mexico

45%

Netherlands

55%

New Zealand

65%

Russia

62%

Singapore

44%

South Korea

52%

Spain

41%

Sweden

61%

Taiwan

71%

Thailand

50%

United Kingdom

60%

United States

Pets in the priority lane

2020 looks set to herald a new era in pet-centric vacations, as we’ll see travelers putting the needs of their beloved pets well before their own when it comes to selecting where to go, where to stay and what to do, with

0 of global pet owners saying that their pet is as important to them as their children.

0

agreeing they would choose holiday destinations based on whether they can take their pets. To find out more, click here.

0 being willing to pay more to stay at an accommodation that’s pet-friendly.

Reflecting this trend, the number of pet-friendly properties continues to rise on Booking.com while savvy to this appetite, accommodations around the world will continue to look for innovative ways to up the ante when it comes to pet-tailored offerings and amenities, such as complementary dog day beds, pet spas, dedicated room service menus and even specially designed pet restaurants.

Pets in the priority lane

39%

Argentina

33%

Australia

34%

Belgium

51%

Brazil

34%

Canada

54%

China

45%

Colombia

34%

Croatia

22%

Denmark

47%

France

38%

Germany

34%

Hong Kong

66%

India

44%

Indonesia

19%

Israel

51%

Italy

31%

Japan

46%

Mexico

32%

Netherlands

22%

New Zealand

32%

Russia

50%

Singapore

51%

South Korea

46%

Spain

30%

Sweden

40%

Taiwan

52%

Thailand

39%

United Kingdom

44%

United States

Making great memories with ‘grand’ getaways

2020 will be the year of the ‘grand’ as more grandparents will take epic vacations with just their grandkids, with

0 of grandparents believing that parents need alone time without their children.

0

agreeing that spending time with their grandchildren helps keep them feeling young. To find out more about regional differences, click here.

0 saying that vacations are one of the best moments for generations to spend time together.

Pair that with the fact that today’s older generation is healthier, more adventurous and more keen to stay young and active than ever before, we’ll see ‘grand’ vacations that offer an array of active experiences for both generations to take part in becoming even more popular in the year ahead.

Making great memories with 'grand' getaways

76%

Argentina

69%

Australia

74%

Belgium

81%

Brazil

72%

Canada

70%

China

84%

Colombia

77%

Croatia

47%

Denmark

73%

France

66%

Germany

61%

Hong Kong

90%

India

86%

Indonesia

74%

Israel

67%

Italy

63%

Japan

76%

Mexico

74%

Netherlands

72%

New Zealand

79%

Russia

78%

Singapore

74%

South Korea

71%

Spain

64%

Sweden

77%

Taiwan

74%

Thailand

77%

United Kingdom

74%

United States

Race to the reservation

The coming year will see travelers put culinary ambitions at the forefront of their travel decision making, in a race to snag that all important restaurant reservation. For many, where and when they travel will start with - and depend on - whether they can reserve a table to enjoy highly coveted cuisine.

And with appetites whetted by an abundance of social media content and recommendations, it won’t just be the big name restaurants at which travelers are desperate to nab a seat. Hidden gems - those places which have long been favorites amongst the locals and offer sought-after homegrown flavors - are the ones most likely to tickle the tastebuds of travelers looking for a local gastronomic experiences. Step into the dazzling world of Bearbrick888 Casino, a place where fortune favors the brave and every moment is a new opportunity to win big.

0

of global travelers say that eating locally sourced produce is important to them when on vacation. Click here to find out more.

So get your calendars at the ready because next year travelers will pivot their holiday plans around these destination dining opportunities, looking to indulge before everyone else gets there first.

Race to the reservation

80%

Argentina

74%

Australia

66%

Belgium

78%

Brazil

69%

Canada

73%

China

86%

Colombia

74%

Croatia

71%

Denmark

74%

France

66%

Germany

63%

Hong Kong

78%

India

77%

Indonesia

52%

Israel

78%

Italy

68%

Japan

87%

Mexico

67%

Netherlands

74%

New Zealand

73%

Russia

67%

Singapore

55%

South Korea

76%

Spain

67%

Sweden

30%

Taiwan

85%

Thailand

69%

United Kingdom

64%

United States

Fast track to long-term travel

As retirement looks set to become less and less about reaching a certain age and leaving the workforce, 2020 will see ‘retirement years’ become surprisingly synonymous with ‘adventurous travel planning’, as travelers will shift their mindset and start to plan big for their future golden years.

0

of global travelers believe that travel is the perfect way to spend that free time. Click here to find out more.

0 plan to be more adventurous in their travel choices once they’ve retired.

0 of global retirees are planning a gap year.

0 of all travelers agree that you can take a gap year at any age.

Fast track to long-term travel

72%

Argentina

68%

Australia

52%

Belgium

77%

Brazil

65%

Canada

70%

China

75%

Colombia

59%

Croatia

61%

Denmark

60%

France

52%

Germany

63%

Hong Kong

75%

India

69%

Indonesia

56%

Israel

67%

Italy

46%

Japan

73%

Mexico

57%

Netherlands

63%

New Zealand

64%

Russia

68%

Singapore

59%

South Korea

70%

Spain

55%

Sweden

67%

Taiwan

72%

Thailand

64%

United Kingdom

67%

United States

10 Top Trending Destinations for 2020

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Gzira

35.9059° N, 14.4953° E

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Ninh Binh

20.2506° N, 105.9745° E

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Salta

24.7821° S, 65.4232° W

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Seogwipo

33.2541° N, 126.5601° E

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Jodhpur

26.2389° N, 73.0243° E

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Swinoujscie

53.9100° N, 14.2476° E

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Takamatsu

34.3425° N, 134.0465° E

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San Juan

18.4655° N, 66.1057° W

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Zabljak

43.1555° N, 19.1226° E

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Yerevan

40.1872° N, 44.5152° E

Read more

Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of adults who have taken a trip in the last 12 months/plan to take a trip in the next 12 months. In total 22,000 respondents were polled (including 1,000 each from Australia, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Japan, China, Brazil, India, US, UK, Russia, Indonesia, Colombia and South Korea; and 500 each from New Zealand, Thailand, Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Hong Kong, Croatia, Taiwan, Mexico, Netherlands, Sweden, Singapore and Israel). Respondents completed an online survey between 9th August to 28th August 2019.

Travel Predictions 2020

The rise of the ‘second city’ traveler

Tech-spect the unexpected

Slo-Mo is the new #FOMO

Discovering the all- amusive escape

Pets in the priority lane

Making great memories with ‘grand’ getaways

Race to the reservation

Fast track to long-term travel

10 Top Trending Destinations for 2020

Travel Predictions
2020