Industry insiders tell us what we can look forward to in the year ahead
Joss Kent, CEO andBeyond
“Guests are not just travelling to escape their daily lives; they are focusing more on slowing down and enriching their life experiences. Safari trips are perfect for this reason, as they effectively commandeer your schedule. There’s the very early morning starts, late afternoon or evening game drives and sitting around a campfire until late in the night. On safari, you don’t have to consciously wind down – it happens automatically as soon as you arrive.”
Tip: Make mindfulness easier on your travels with distraction-free phones like the Anica A9+. This tiny device allows you to make calls, send and receive text messages and play music, but not much else so you can truly be in the moment.
Zelia Leong, co-founder Anywhr
“Travellers are outgrowing recycled holidays – visiting the same destinations and doing the same activities as others. We are seeking personal experiences, from journeys of self-discovery to being in environments that allow us to forge more meaningful connections with people and better understand the world around us.”
Tip: Get acquainted with the local scene with Airbnb Experiences, which offers everything from history walks to cycling tours with the city’s residents. Or share a meal with a local using apps like EatWith, which gives you an insider track to unique culinary encounters.
Chang Theng Hwee, CEO Scott Dunn Asia
“The QT break, also known as the ‘quality time’ break. We are seeing a rise in parents taking one child from their family to have a one-on-one adventure. Time together is a precious commodity that parents are becoming increasingly aware they need to make the most of.”
Tip: While it may be tempting to book yourselves into an all-
inclusive resort, it’s worthwhile to seek out an activity-based holiday, such as zip lining in Siem Reap. Angkor Zipline offers zip line adventures for children as young as five, with safety being a top priority – each tour has two instructors and a maximum of nine guests.
Adam Broadbent, co-founder ZuBlu
“The year 2019 will see the rise of the conscious traveller. Awareness is growing around the impact we have when we’re travelling; the environments we visit are put under stress as our consumption levels of food, energy and water dramatically increase on holiday. Travel decisions are now being driven by opportunities to engage in conservation activities that can benefit the habitats and local communities we visit.”
Tip: Visit the Global Sustainable Tourism Council website
(gstcouncil.org) to find certified sustainable hotels. Ask travel operators for details on how they contribute to conservation causes and local communities, as well as the measures they take to reduce their environmental impact.
Willem Niemeijer, founder Khiri Travel
“Travellers are becoming more aware of the problem of plastic waste. As a result, more travellers are trying to cut down on single-use plastic consumption by reusing their water bottle or shopping bag while on holiday. They’re also more conscious about choosing hotels and tour operators that adhere to environmentally friendly policies.”
Tip: Download the RefillMyBottle app, which maps out all the places around the world – from hotels to cafés, shops to museums – where you can fill up your bottle for free or a nominal fee.
SEE ALSO: 5 sharing platforms perfect for the modern traveller
This article was originally published in the December 2018 issue of Silkwinds magazine.
