Top Travel Trends for 2019

Travel fads come and go, and they’re fun for a while. Cronut- and freakshake-hunting was, at one point, deemed an essential city trip activity for Instagrammable snack devotees, while barnyard yoga seemed to make perfect sense for flexible nature lovers – where better to hone your cow pose?

Some trends, however, emerge slowly and have the potential to stick around for the long haul. So what’s on the horizon this year? Here are the trends to watch in 2019 that just might change the way we travel for good.

Getting off the Touristed Path

The ‘don’t be a tourist, be a traveller’ sentiment is jaded. We all have an impact on the places we visit, whether we go it alone or rely on a tour group. Avoiding crowds and capturing low-season deals is nothing new for experienced globetrotters, but with the rise of overtourism, steering clear of the masses and choosing your destinations wisely is more important than ever. This approach can have surprising benefits, too.

Augmented Attractions

Like it or loathe it, virtual reality technology is gathering pace. With ever-improving headsets, applications, and 360-degree content, it’s already taking armchair travel to the next level – transporting anyone with a Wi-Fi connection to Antarctica, Aruba, or even Mars. However, what effect will these new technologies have for those who still want to see the world, IRL (in real life)?

Understanding My DNA

We live in the information age. Never before have we had so much knowledge at our fingertips – but how much do you know about your genealogy? Ancestry exploration has been revitalized with the advent of do-it-yourself DNA kits. You might be born and bred in your home nation, but your DNA may well reveal where you really come from. Consequently, curious travellers are using unexpected results as an excuse to book a trip.

Road Trips Go Electric

The EV (electric vehicle) revolution is just around the corner, with charging stations cropping up in the most unlikely places. Whether you’re considering taking the leap with your next set of wheels or willing to experiment with a rental, your next road trip could not only be better for the environment but also show you a totally different side to your destination.

Dark Skies

When did you last take a good look at the night sky? For many of us worldwide, light pollution spoils the view. Sure, we can spot the moon – the Big Dipper if we’re lucky. But opportunities for true constellation admiration are few and far between. Fortunately, designated dark-sky spaces are on the increase, granting stargazers better access to spellbinding panoramas.

Explore the beauty of these emerging travel trends in 2019, and consider how they can enhance your next adventure.