Last year, revenge travel — embarking on the trip of a lifetime to make up for the halt of travel during the pandemic — was the most talked about travel trend. Now, as most nations have opened back up to unrestricted travel, the change in perspectives and priorities people experienced during the pandemic continue to shape travel plans. Here are some of the top travel trends that we're seeing for 2023.

Regenerative Travel

Sustainable travel focuses on preserving the natural world, offsetting carbon usage, and giving back fairly to local populations; basically, leaving things as you found them. But regenerative travel furthers the concept by enabling travelers to measurably improve local economies and the natural world. In an interview with The New York Times, Jonathan Day, an associate professor at Purdue University focused on sustainable tourism, describes regenerative tourism like this:

“Sustainable tourism is sort of a low bar. At the end of the day, it’s just not making a mess of the place,” Day says. “Regenerative tourism says, let’s make it better for future generations.”

Leaving the world better than you found it is catching on with some travel companies, The New York Times reports. OneSeed Expeditions, a tour operator based in Denver, uses ten percent of its earnings to provide interest-free loans to nongovernmental organizations in the nations where OneSeed operates. The organizations then issue microloans to entrepreneurs in these communities. Playa Viva, a resort south of Zihuatanejo, Mexico, on the Pacific Coast, devotes a 2 percent per-stay fee toward community development to its neighboring village. And the resort’s organic agricultural system benefits the local environment. 

A travel experience that is completely regenerative may seem quixotic. For example, there’s still the issue of offsetting carbon from air travel. But it’s important to start asking how we can do better as globetrotters.

“Travel is an important vote of your principles,” says Chris Baker, founder of OneSeed Expeditions. “When you decide to put your time and resources into a trip, you’re affirming that’s the type of business you want out there.”

Bucket List Travel

Travelers plan to take revenge travel to the maximum this year. Being tethered down by pandemic restrictions and other life changes has made many travelers realize there’s no point in waiting to take the vacation of a lifetime. In a survey of more then 24,000 travelers across 32 countries by Booking.com, half of respondents said they were willing to spend more to take a memorable vacation.

Read more: Bucket List Travel: Where to Go & Why It's More Popular Than Ever

Going off-grid

Nearly 60 percent of travelers surveyed by Booking.com want to totally unplug and immerse themselves in nature. A similar number of respondents indicated they were interested in guided trips that imparted wilderness survival skills. 

Also, the popularity of camping, which experienced a surge during the pandemic, is still high. Options such as glamping and luxury eco-tours continue to open the activity to people who want more comfort while experiencing nature.

Off-Season Travel

Booking during the off season can save you money and help you avoid the crowds. It’s also beneficial to your hosts; bringing dollars to tourism industries during slower times of the year can help workers weather income volatility. And avoiding natural and historic areas during peak times can also lessen the negative impacts of overuse on precious resources.

Here are some ideas: Try visiting Iceland during Spring, outside of the busy winter and summer tourist seasons. Nature lovers will have the advantage of enjoying activities suited for both warm and cold weather. Hike the volcanic range of Mount Esja, outside of Reykjavik, when some of the ice has melted and before tourists swarm the area in the summer. Mild temperatures and lower resort prices in Okinawa, Japan make April the perfect time to visit the island before the summer beach season. If you want to stay stateside, head to Northern California from January to March. The wine region’s renowned grapes won’t be ready for harvest, but its natural beauty is astounding year-round. Early in the year is also the prime time for whale watching along the coast of Mendocino County.

Read more: Taking the Trip Less Traveled: Off-Season Travel Destinations

Flight Trends

Despite skyrocketing inflation, interest in travel remains unshakable. KAYAK reports searches for flights on its site are up in 2023 compared to 2022 (25 percent for domestic and 64 percent for international). Kayak also reports solo travel is on the rise. Searches for one-person flights for 2023 have increased 36 percent from 2022. And travelers want to fly more comfortably, while saving money; searches for seats in premium economy are up 64 percent for 2023 travel.

Be sure to protect your travel plans in 2023. Multi-trip, annual travel insurance by Allianz Global Assistance can protect a year’s worth of excursions for one fee, which is perfect for frequent travelers. Choose from multiple plans for a range of budgets, that include coverage for certain expenses related to trip cancellation and interruption, medical emergencies, lost or delayed baggage, rental car damage, and more.

Every year, millions of travelers trust Allianz Global Assistance to keep them safe with straightforward benefits, quick claims, and diligent service. Get a quote today to find out how we can protect you on your travels.

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