2023 Summer Travel Trends Report from Zicasso

• The travel industry continues to experience an impressive rebound in 2023. At Zicasso, our Q1 bookings surpass our pre-pandemic sales from Q1 2019. The latest data reveals the number of bookings made in Q1 2023 increased by 85% compared to 2022.
• This remarkable growth highlights the resilience of the travel industry and the pent-up demand for travel that has been maintained over the past two years. Despite ongoing challenges and uncertainty caused by the pandemic, inflation, and geo-political concerns, consumers are eager to explore new destinations and embark on exciting adventures.
• While 74% of our traveler survey respondents expressed worries about inflation, hidden fees, and unexpected expenses, the average traveler is spending 14% more per person per day in 2023 than in 2022. Overall, summer trip spending has seen a significant increase resulting in a 32% rise in average cost compared to pre-pandemic levels, including a 20% increase from 2022.

• Many travelers want to visit countries on their bucket list and seek off-the-beaten-path experiences away from the crowds. 56% of the survey respondents stated they have a travel bucket list, and their choice of destination is heavily influenced by their desire to fulfill these travel dreams.
• A significant proportion of respondents, 38%, preferred avoiding crowds or traveling during off-peak seasons. When asked to prioritize their travel preferences, these same Zicasso travelers expressed their keen interest in guided tours of local landmarks, museums, and historical sites and discovering natural beauty, such as beaches, mountains, and lakes, while exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations.

• Europe has always been a popular summer destination, and Zicasso travelers’ interest continues to skew heavily towards Europe, even more so than in pre-pandemic years. Our top six requested destinations (Italy, Greece, Croatia, Spain, France, and England) comprise 61% of our summer bookings compared to 63% in the summer of 2022.
• While Europe is very popular for summer 2023, countries like Japan and Australia, whose borders were closed during the pandemic and have now fully reopened, have returned to the list of our 12 most popular summer destinations and where you can still book a trip for 2023.
• Travelers interested in African safaris will find limited availability in East Africa, but Southern Africa may still be an option for flexible travelers.

• Despite a pullback in spending on household goods and other material possessions, consumers remain eager to invest in meaningful experiences, with travel being a top priority for many. Spending by our summer travelers has increased by 20% over 2022, with authentic experiences as the priority area of investment.
• Travelers have prioritized experiences over luxury properties, with only 13% of respondents indicating interest in high-end properties if it meant fewer excursions or activities. This is a reversal of a pandemic trend towards high-end accommodations as the top choice for travel budget investment.

• This trend indicates a growing desire among travelers to immerse themselves in local culture and gain a deeper understanding of the destinations they visit. Over 54% of travelers surveyed prioritize guided tours of local landmarks, museums, and historical sites, while 50% of travelers consider the exploration of natural beauty, such as beaches, mountains, and lakes, to be an essential part of their summer travel experience.
• Nearly half (48%) of the surveyed travelers were interested in discovering off-the-beaten-path experiences or destinations, followed by 40% preferring food and wine experiences. Fewer travelers prioritized alternate experiences, with 27% looking for wildlife excursions, 23% interested in cultural activities such as classes, lessons, etc.,14% looking for active adventures, 10% enjoying a shopping experience, and 2% chose wellness activities as a priority.

• Trip lengths have reverted to pre-pandemic norms with the average vacation duration lasting approximately 11.4 days, compared to the 11.8-day average in 2019, with most summer bookings for two travelers. While hybrid travel and multi-generational trips saw a spike in interest the last two years, travelers indicate a twist back to previous norms.
• Even though the average trip time and the number of travelers may be returning to pre-pandemic norms, other trends are showing plenty of differentiation. Europe has a much bigger share of the summer travel market compared to 2019 and travelers are spending much more for their international vacations, spending more than the average growth in inflation.

• The latest survey data revealed 75% of respondents plan to travel the same amount or more in 2024 than in 2023. Only 3% of respondents indicated they plan to travel less internationally in 2024, demonstrating the enduring appeal of travel as a way to explore new destinations and create meaningful experiences.
• Additionally, 22% of respondents have not yet considered their travel plans for 2024, leaving room for further potential growth in the industry.

Zicasso travelers understand their reasons for exploring the world and are eager to make their dream trips come true. Explore what we’ve learned with our complete Summer 2023 Travel Trends report available now.

Since 2008, Zicasso has been a leading travel company combining the expertise of the top 10% of luxury travel advisors in over 100 countries.

Zicasso gives busy, discerning consumers a hassle-free way to obtain customized, unique, and authentic travel experiences not available on existing travel sites, along with flight and travel insurance services to further simplify the lives of these time-strapped travelers.

To ensure the highest quality and value, each travel specialist is vetted by Zicasso using a rigorous screening process and rated by real travelers who used Zicasso. With over 22,000 travel reviews, our specialists average 4.86 out of 5 stars.

For more information, visit www.zicasso.com or contact us at pr@zicasso.com