In our current, more restricted world, local travel will continue to be a popular choice amongst travellers as it remains easier, safer and – happily – often more sustainable. As people get more comfortable exploring closer to home, new trends for local getaways are climbing to the top of travel agendas.
When it comes to local travel, 43% plan to explore a new destination within their home region/country and 46% will take the time to appreciate the natural beauty of their home country. Whether travellers decide to stay local or not, half of those asked intend to travel somewhere they’ve already been.
Doorstep delights offer both cost and time savings for travellers, and we are likely to see destinations and accommodations respond with extra add-ons to their travel offering such as historic and cultural heritage tours to educate and entertain visitors. New, more novel experiences such as guest chefs and bespoke cocktails could also be in the mix to help win local tourists’ affection.
Almost a quarter (21%) of people intend to travel to the other side of the world by the end of 2021, compared to only 6% who intend to do so by the end of 2020. Referring to Booking.com wish list data showing where our users are dreaming of travelling, the top five wish-listed destinations during 2020 were London, Paris, Saint Petersburg, Dubai and Barcelona.
Methodology:
*Research commissioned by Booking.com and conducted among a sample of adults who have traveled for business or leisure in the past 12 months, and must be planning to travel in the next 12 months (if/once travel restrictions are lifted). In total 20,934 respondents across 28 countries were polled (including from 999 USA, 496 from Canada, 497 from Mexico, 997 from Colombia, 999 from Brazil, 499 from Argentina, 995 from Australia, 499 from New Zealand, 999 from Spain, 996 from Italy, 996 from France, 999 from UK, 996 from Germany, 498 from Netherlands, 499 from Denmark, 499 from Sweden, 498 from Croatia, 1001 from Russia, 498 from Israel, 997 from India, 994 from China, 499 from Hong Kong, 497 from Thailand, 496 from Singapore, 499 from Taiwan, 997 from South Korea, 500 from Vietnam and 995 from Japan). Respondents completed an online survey in July 2020.
†Based on the share of filter users who used the “pet friendly” filter, comparing the average use of the filter across 2019.
‡Based on endorsements left on Booking.com as part of post-stay reviews. Insight based on endorsements that saw the biggest increase in monthly usage between 1st April 2020 and 11th September 2020, compared to the average monthly endorsements between January 2019 and February 2020.
§Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of 50,688 respondents across 29 markets. In order to participate in this survey, respondents had to be 18 years of age or older, had to have travelled at least once in the past 12 months and be either the primary decision maker or involved in the decision making of their travel. The survey was taken online and took place in November 2019.