Hot air balloons flying over Cappadocia, Turkey; early bookings to the country are up by 70 per cent
Responsible tourism, a return to Turkey and cruises for millennials with sunrise yoga and vegan menus will be among the biggest travel trends of 2018, according to the industry.
In its annual travel trends report the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) said that despite a weak pound and uncertainty over Brexit more Britons took holidays this year than at any time since 2011. Early bookings suggest that next year we will travel even more often and more adventurously.
Abta predicted that responsible tourism, where tour operators strive not to harm animals, the environment or communities, would be the biggest theme of 2018. Thomas Cook recently stopped offering animal excursions such as elephant rides and swimming with dolphins and Virgin Holidays will no longer promote attractions that feature captive whales and dolphins. Abta expects more operators to implement initiatives such as giving back to communities, banning plastics from beaches and offering carbon-neutral tours.
More than a quarter of Britons plan to visit a country they have never been to before, including Montenegro, Nepal, which is “open for business” after the 2015 earthquake, and Germany, which entered Britons’ top ten destinations for the first time this year.
Early bookings for Turkey rose by 70 per cent and for Egypt by 24 per cent. Tourists have avoided both countries due to political unrest and terrorist concerns but security has improved.
Abta also predicts a rise in the number of cruises, with 14 per cent planning one next year. Cruises are increasingly popular with millennials, the survey also found, citing cruises from U by Uniworld for 21 to 45-year-olds along the most “Instagram and Snapchat-worthy” rivers of Europe, offering sunrise yoga and organic and vegan cuisine.
Kaynak: The Times
