OK, we don’t have an
actual crystal ball. But the team here at TURNER always has its finger on the pulse of the travel world – it’s our job to stay ahead of the curve.
[Header image via REI Adventures] Here are a few of the key travel trends we think you’ll see emerging in 2016.
State Parks, National Monuments, and National Forests will be getting some much-deserved attention.
Goblin Valley State Park, Utah Sure, this year is the
National Parks Service Centennial. And it’s a big deal. It also means that travelers (and editors) looking to reconnect with nature are going to be interested in alternatives to the much-hyped NPS system.
– Angela Berardino
Hunting will heat up in the travel realm.
Smith Fork Ranch, Crawford, Colorado It has slowly been creeping into the mainstream, but 2016 will mark the year when hunting hits big time. My guess is it’s likely a matter of time before outlets like
Outside make the leap to the likes of
Field and Stream … it’s a huge segment, and many gear providers already court hunters and hikers just the same. Also, I’ve been saying this for about three years, but the intimate connection between food/animals and humans will become even more intimate. Call it what you will – “Gun to Table,” etc. – but there’s no denying culinary-focused travelers' desire to be as close to their food as is possible.
– Campbell Levy
Seasonal vacations will increasingly be in vogue.
Barcelo Maya Beach Hotel Seeing the upside of downtime – and making sure to plan frequent seasonal trips – will no longer only be associated with rule-bending millennials. The US Travel Association is already upping it’s game to promote
Project Time Off and with health, and wellness being such a huge trend for 2016, there’s no doubt the value of de-stressing, un-plugging and re-charging will be quick to gain further momentum. As much as scheduling an annual/bi-annual/quarterly doctor’s appointment is a no-brainer, being sure to schedule a seasonal winter, spring, summer and/or fall get-away is ever more likely to catch on.
– Emma deVadder
Travelers will look for new spins on classic trips.
REI Adventures Going on Safari in Africa is on everyone’s bucket list (I know it’s on mine!). But for those seeking new thrills in a classic place, 2016 will offer fresh ways to explore dream destinations. Tour operators and hotels are continuing to evolve the traveller experience to increase return visit as well as attract new demographics. From kite-surfing school in Zanzibar to a “boat safari” floating down the Chobe River, Africa has never had more to offer both new and repeat visitors. For those who love the Mediterranean, skip Greece and Capri and give the adventurous island of Corsica a try (don’t worry, you’ll still have time to enjoy the beach). Visiting China? Skip the Great Wall and spend a night exploring the Mongolian grassland.
Outfitters are even managing to take heli-skiing to new heights with a slower paced thrill, slightly more inclusive to the more timid traveler: heli-snowshoeing.
– Lauren Ryback
Millennials discover the travel agent.
Viceroy Snowmass Ski Resort Travel agents are going the way of the dodo, right? Wrong. According to a 2015
Travel Market Report, Millennials, along with the affluent, have seen the biggest increase in the use of travel agents due to a perceived value in paying for their time.
– Jordan Gover
