Trends That Will Impact 2015 Travel

In addition to a continuing supply of cheap travel optionssuch as cheapairplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, discounttravel deals, and cheap vacation packages, 2015is expected to embrace burgeoning travel trends.

Those trends according to Smarter Travel include:

• Improvinghotel technology involving such innovations as mobile check-in and checkout,keycard-less entry, and in room iPads for room service. The aim with each of these technologies is toreduce guest hassles. Experts believethat it is only a matter of time before universal free Wi-Fi is a hotelstandard.

• Growingdemand for wellness travel ranging from yoga retreats to weight lossresorts. Vacations centered on health,rejuvenation, and rebalancing and re-centering guests from the stress andbusyness of everyday life are growing in popularity.

• Emerginginterest in poshtels which merge hostels and hotels, with the aim ofproviding better accommodation options at more reasonable prices. Four poster beds, chandeliers, and evenbridal suites are popping up at hostels that are transforming themselves fromgritty backpacker magnets to budget conscious luxury destinations. Although the U.K. is leading the charge onthis trend, upscale hostels are growing on a global scale.

• Looseningscreening restrictions by The Transportation and Security Administration (TSA). Experts are looking forward to fewersecurity restrictions. The TSA isconsidering reducing liquid and gel restrictions for trusted fliers who havegone through background checks as part of the PreCheck membership process. Such a move would provide a compelling reasonfor travelers to sign up to become eligible for PreCheck privileges.

• Livinglike a local in destination cities is becoming increasingly easier to do. Travelers are renting apartments in citycenters, sharing meals with locals, and enjoying locally sourced in-room snacksat hotels. Finding ways to immerse travelersin local life, whether by hanging out in an off the beaten path neighborhood inTokyo, or helping farmers being in the harvest in Hawaii, is a trend that ishere to stay.

• Dreamerswith a business sense are re-imagining a new version of economy class, onewhere passengers can recline their seats without making those sitting behindthem miserable and everyone can disembark happier.

• Dreamdestinations are increasingly within the reach of more and more travelers,including:

1. Bahamas to explore not so easy to find islands,particularly the Bahamas Out Islands.

2. Banff National Park, Canada before thedestination ends up commonly on the beaten path.

3. Cambodia to marvel over the uniqueness of thissmall country.

4. Cuba a land where time stands still, visitors cantake in contagious music, and the camaraderie of its generous people.

5. Iceland to photograph the countrys awe inspiringnatural beauty.

6. Latvia to soak in the culture.

7. Patagonia to see what it is like to hike to theend of the world.

8. South Africa, where many go to view epic wildlifesafaris.