Skyscanner’s New Travel Trends Report: Buckle Up, We’re Going Places!
Hold onto your suitcases, folks! Skyscanner has rolled out its latest epistle on wanderlust, humorously titled Skyscanner Horizons: 2024/5 Spending, Planning and Destination Insights. This little gem dives headfirst into the travel patterns of 19,000 savvy globetrotters from 16 markets. If you’ve ever wondered what goes on in the minds of modern travellers—besides avoiding that last-minute packing—this report is your answer!
Surveying 6,000 enthusiastic souls from the Asia-Pacific region, including residents of India, Japan, and the land Down Under (that’s Australia, for those of you who got lost in the map), Skyscanner has put together an engaging analysis of anything from travel spending to inspiration sources. They’ve even tossed in a sprinkling of AI and overtourism talk for good measure. What a treat! It’s like a buffet of travel insights without the calories—unless you’re at a buffet, then it might be the bad kind of calories…
The Hot Takes: Indians Love to Travel!
In a stunning reveal (not really, we always knew this!), it seems Asia-Pacific travellers are determined to book their beach bungalows and ski chalets! With 80% of them planning as many—or more—trips in 2025 than they did in 2024, this trend continues to spark excitement. Spoiler alert: Indian travellers are leading the charge, spending more and craving adventures like it’s their hobby—oh wait, it is!
Travel Behaviour: From Sports Events to Gaming Pilgrimages!
But wait, there’s more! It turns out that today’s wanderers are motivated by a craving for collective experiences, from thrilling sports events to immersive art installations. You know, anything that will baffle their relatives when they post bizarre pictures on social media. The report outlines seven quirky travel trends that make us question our definitions of leisure: Sport mode, Astro Adventurers, Reset Jetters, Art-Venture, Cowboy Core, Horti-Culture, and—wait for it—Gami-Vacation. Wow, are we just one hashtag away from making ‘Gami-Vacation’ the next big thing?
Food, Glorious Food: The Real Travel MVP
Now, let’s discuss something crucial—food! You could drown in the Mediterranean or skydive over the Alps, but if the food doesn’t hit the spot, what’s the point, really? Two-thirds of the travellers surveyed say food influences their destination choice. So, basically, if you’re not showcasing your culinary wonders, good luck competing with that Instagram-worthy sushi place in Tokyo. Other major players in the destination game? Weather, natural landscapes, attractions, and culture, all vying for the traveller’s affection, like a very competitive group of suitors!
AI in Travel: Your New Best Friend (Or Is It)?
In an era where your phone knows more about you than your partner, it’s no surprise travellers are getting cozy with AI. A reported 46% of Asia-Pacific adventurers now trust AI tools for travel planning. Who would’ve thought that an algorithm could help you avoid that clumsy tourist trap restaurant? The top four AI applications include destination research (40%), creating itineraries (36%), comparing options (33%), and destination inspiration (31%). Honestly, at this rate, who might even trust a travel agent anymore? They might have to take improv classes to remain relevant!
Overtourism: The Call for Quieter Lands
Now, amidst our jet-setting dreams, the impacts of overtourism loom large. 27% of people surveyed stated they’d consider less touristy destinations in the future. Imagine that—a world where you can actually enjoy the serenity of a beach instead of a thousand selfie sticks poking you in the ribs!
Social Media: The Modern-Day Oracle
As we traverse this digital age, inspiration sources have shifted dramatically. Social media and word-of-mouth are now the top messengers of travel ideas, with over half of Asia-Pacific respondents turning to Insta-worthy feeds for the latest travel inspo. A quick skim through Pinterest can get you to that unique boutique hotel faster than you can say “where’s the nearest Starbucks?”
So, What’s Next?
As we look to the future, travellers are keeping things short and sweet — with average trip lengths peaking at six days, except for those brave souls heading to London who seem to take extended vacations as if it’s a rite of passage. But the real showstoppers? Off-the-beaten-path places experiencing a surge, like India’s Shillong and China’s Dayong, both seeing an influx of over 800% in searches. Who knew being an under-the-radar destination could be so trendy?
In conclusion, the travel game is evolving remarkably, and those with a keen eye on the changing landscape are set to score big in the travel industry’s new era. So, tighten those fanny packs and stay tuned, because 2025 is notorious for taking us places we never expected!
“Our data shows that travel demand remains resilient,” noted Hugh Aitkens, Skyscanner’s vice president of strategic relations. As we brace ourselves for a transformative year, let’s just be glad that for every uncomfortable flight, crowded destination, and lost luggage experience, there’s a beach awaiting us with a cocktail in hand.
So there you have it! A cheeky, observant, and informative breakdown of Skyscanner’s travel trends that just might inspire you to book that next spontaneous getaway. After all, isn’t life just too short to wait for the “perfect time” to visit that burger joint in Austin? Happy travels!
Skyscanner has released an insightful new report entitled Skyscanner Horizons: 2024/5 spending, planning and destination insights. This comprehensive analysis draws on a combination of detailed consumer surveys and proprietary search data to unveil the evolving mindset of travellers as they strategize their trips for the upcoming year.
The report gathers input from 19,000 consumers spanning 16 diverse markets, providing deep insights into travel propensity, expenditure, types of trips, and the complexities of planning. Key indicators analyzed include the most popular sources for destination inspiration, the integration of AI in travel planning, and shifting perceptions surrounding overtourism. Within this extensive survey, 6,000 participants hailed from the Asia-Pacific region, representing countries such as Australia, India, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea. Skyscanner’s rich search data supplements these findings, offering critical details on choice of destinations, typical lead times for bookings, average trip durations, and year-on-year comparisons of search volume activity.
Asia-Pacific travellers are increasingly viewing travel as a priority, with a notable inclination toward enhancing their travel budgets. Those from India stand out as the most enthusiastic, planning to undertake the most trips and spend significantly. Remarkably, 80% of respondents in the region are poised to embark on the same number of trips or even more in 2025 compared to 2024.
Travel trends are being significantly influenced by a universal desire for shared experiences, attracting people to sports events, immersive art exhibitions, and gaming-themed journeys that foster community. A total of seven key travel trends emerged from the report: Sport mode, Astro Adventurers, Reset Jetters, Art-Venture, Cowboy Core, Horti-Culture, and Gami-Vacation, each reflecting unique aspects of contemporary preferences.
Food triumphs as top factor in travel planning
Food emerges as the most pivotal factor influencing destination choices among travellers, with a significant 67% of Asia-Pacific respondents acknowledging its critical importance when selecting a holiday spot. Other noteworthy considerations included the weather (55%), natural landscapes (55%), popular attractions (54%), and cultural experiences (54%).
Confidence in using AI for planning grows
Notably, 46% of Asia-Pacific travellers have expressed a growing confidence in leveraging AI tools to facilitate their travel planning and booking endeavors, while approximately 17% indicated they are very confident in this technology’s capabilities.
The top applications of AI technology in travel as identified by respondents include destination research (40%), travel itinerary creation (36%), option comparisons (33%), and inspiration for destinations (31%).
Attitudes towards overtourism and impact
In addressing how they plan to modify their travel habits in the future, over one-quarter (27%) of Asia-Pacific travellers mentioned they would consider opting for less tourist-heavy destinations. Additionally, 25% expressed a desire to contribute positively to the communities they visit.
South Korean travellers exhibited a strong inclination towards exploring less crowded destinations, while Indian travellers demonstrated the highest motivation to positively impact the places they explore.
Additionally, understanding specific locations (36%) and having confidence in available activities (34%) were noted as crucial factors influencing decisions to venture to lesser-known areas.
Top sources of travel inspiration
Social media and word-of-mouth recommendations are the dominant sources for travel inspiration among global travellers. A remarkable 55% of Asia-Pacific respondents consistently turn to social media when searching for travel ideas, while 45% significantly rely on recommendations from friends and family.
2025 destination trends and trip lengths
Travellers are increasingly utilizing Skyscanner’s popular ‘Everywhere’ search feature to seek inspiration, which has gained notable traction across various regions. The top destinations that emerged from Asia-Pacific indicate a strong preference for major cities throughout the continent.
The trend of short journeys remains prevalent, with the average trip length peaking at six days, except in London, where it reaches two weeks. Overall, trip lengths have decreased by approximately one day year-on-year. Typical lead times for bookings range broadly from 30 to 70 days, with London and Tokyo attracting the longest lead times. For instance, travellers heading to New Delhi are booking their flights an average of just 28 days ahead of their scheduled departure.
Emerging destinations within Asia-Pacific have demonstrated a remarkable interest in off-the-beaten-path options, with notable growth in search volumes for China’s Dayong and India’s Shillong, both showcasing substantial year-on-year increases exceeding 800%.
“Our data shows that travel demand remains resilient, and travellers are adapting their itineraries as they seek out collective experiences. This blend of resilience, ingenuity and innovation from both travellers and airlines looks set to make next year a transformative one for all,” noted Hugh Aitkens, vice president, strategic relations and development at Skyscanner.
“Looking ahead, we expect the market to become more active with seat sales and promotions as airlines compete for share of wallet.”
