life
“Microcations” will be a huge travel trend in 2020
Travel expert Heather Greenwood Davis breaks down this and other travel trends for the New Year.
December 18, 2019 4:39 p.m. EST
December 30, 2019 11:00 p.m. EST
MICROCATIONS
A microcation is the idea of a mini-getaway because we’re all so pressed for time. Think short holidays – but not a staycation. With microcations there is no time being wasted. Statistics show that millennials in particular aren’t using their vacation time and micro-cations offer a guilt-free way to slip in and out of work without a full blown getaway.One company that has already seized on the trend is Exodus Travels. They’ve come up with “Exodus Edits” - a new collection of compact and expertly crafted world tours designed for young professionals in their 30's and 40's. The new collection is comprised of 22 trips ranging 4-13 days in length, all locally-led and including unique accommodation such as converted monasteries, mountainside refuges and boutique hotels. All itineraries are “edited” to include the epic outdoor activities, dynamic culinary experiences and cultural exploration essential to a bucket-list-worthy adventure—without the usual time commitment.
SLOW SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL
A huge trend this upcoming year will be trips that encourage us to slow down and consider the environment when we’re making travel plans. Sustainable travel is making the promise to be a bit more green or a bit more eco-friendly when making travel plans.Shorter flights and slow travel: flight shame! The term Flygskam (flight shame) is Swedish, just like the teenage environmental activist who introduced us to it - Greta Thunberg. In 2020 travelers will be thinking more carefully about how often and where they fly to. As a consequence, the new decade will see many people turning to boats or trains instead of planes. Even airlines such as KLM are asking passengers to fly less.You can move by train to soak up the benefits of a luxurious vacay, all while doing good for the environment. There are two great options for lux train travel departing in 2020!Golden Eagle Luxury Trains
The world's leading operator of luxury rail tours by private train continues to access some of the most magnificent, yet rarely visited sites from the ancient world, Trans-Siberian Express: One of the world’s greatest rail journeys, from Moscow to Vladivostok.- Arctic Explorer
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
March 2020 – Belmond’s iconic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express will put the roar from the 1920s into the 2020s with the launch of “The Party” – a new two-night package that transports guests across Europe and back in time.Venice Simplon-Orient-Express will wind through Italy, Austria, Switzerland and France, passing the snowy Alps and glassy lakes. Clad in flapper dresses and spats, guests will bring history to life on board the train’s 17 carriages, all of which are from the 1920s. As “The Party” roars along the rails, surprise entertainment and impromptu performances will unfold both on and off the train.
VEGAN HOTELS
A 2019 survey predicted that 25 per cent of Brits would be vegetarian or vegan by 2025 – so the demand for hotels which cater to that lifestyle choice is going to accelerate.Hotel chains are making the transition - the world’s first vegan hotel suite popped up at Hilton London Bankside - introducing a vegan-friendly hotel stay offering everything from a plant-based key-card, to eco-stationery and carpet.The Saorsa Hotel: 1875 is another great vegan option – it became the UK’s first vegan hotel, with 11 rooms. No wool, silk or feather duvets appear in the rooms and the restaurant is purely plant-based.
INDIGENOUS RESPECT
The Indigenous Tourism Association offers some incredible opportunities to learn about the First Nations communities through interaction and learning.Sea Wolf Adventures
At the Sea Wolf Adventures in British Columbia, a day out includes a stop at the site of a former Residential school where you can hear about the lives of the children and their parents who were ripped apart and the efforts being made to this day to heal from a member of the community.U’mista Cultural Centre
At the U’mista Cultural Centre, local tribe members are tour guides and you can see parts of history often missing from the schoolbooks including the ancestral masks that were confiscated during the Potlatch Ban between 1884 and 1951. That ban outlawed traditional ceremonial feasts and potlatches and had a huge impact on indigenous people. Plus, no one knows the land better and we were able to spend a day on the water looking for bears and whales in northern BC.For those of us who want to travel internationally, visit Australia for the Wukalina Walk in Tasmania. A four day walk with an aboriginal guide where you visit traditional sites and learn about the culture.Uluru
Famous site that was often sought out as a bucket list visit. People can no longer climb it as it has been recognized (finally) as Uluru is an Indigenous sacred site believed to have a strong link to spirit ancestors who shaped the land. Aboriginals believe that the spirits of ancestral beings continue to reside here. The area around Uluru is Indigenous-owned by Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia. They also own Ayers Rock Resort (which is at the base of Uluru) and are offering ways to respectfully visit the area while learning about and respecting the culture.NAKATIONS
Nude tourism is huge and has been booming for many years. You just have to be around in June when more than 70 cities hold their Naked Bike Ride to understand that. But this trend isn’t just about a skinny dip or a quick flash, these are travel experiences done au natural. Nude hiking, yoga camping, cruising, etc. The reasons for the trend make a lot of sense. There’s an argument that this is a push back to all the technology and superficial nature of social media, etc and there is also an argument that says this is about seeking human connection and embracing vulnerability.
