These five major trends are reshaping global travel in 2018

Emirates Airlines is known for its luxury, with a first-class ticket (including taxes) costing nearly 200,000 RMB—clearly targeting the ultra-wealthy with no budget limits. (Image from Emirates Airlines official website)

In 2018, more and more young people will start trying cruise travel. The image shows Costa’s new Romantic cruise ship. (Provided by Lin Chengyan)

The pursuit of serene, soul-searching travel will drive interest in off-the-beaten-path destinations. The image shows Antarctica. (Photo from our newspaper archives)

The issue of overdeveloped tourist attractions will gain attention and rectification this year. The image shows Kyoto, Japan. (Photo by Lin Chengyan)

Every year, travel trends evolve alongside a changing world. The major events of 2016—such as the Middle East refugee crisis and the spread of the Zika virus—have become history. Last year, events including Brexit, U.S. travel bans, Catalonia’s independence bid, hurricanes in the Caribbean, the devastating earthquakes in Mexico, political unrest in Myanmar, and the North Korean nuclear threat further altered travel trends.

★ 1. Natural Disasters Reshape Travel Destinations

The impact of powerful hurricanes left many popular resort spots along the southern U.S. coast, the Caribbean, and Puerto Rico with paralyzed or damaged attractions and facilities, unable to operate normally. While recovery in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands has been relatively swift, most other areas won’t reopen until late 2018. Around the same time, two wildfires in the western U.S. caused significant damage to California’s wine country and the urban resort destination of Los Angeles.

Due to these natural disasters, sun-and-sand resorts are no longer ideal choices. Instead, destinations like New Zealand, Bermuda, and Mexico have emerged as new hotspots for travelers.

★ 2. The M-Shaped Aircraft Cabin Class Divide Will Worsen

Do airlines also play favorites? Since last year, many airlines’ policies have indeed deepened the M-shaped divide onboard. Singapore Airlines and Emirates have launched ultra-premium first-class cabins, setting new records for in-flight luxury. Meanwhile, United Airlines announced plans to resell already purchased tickets to higher bidders, JetBlue reduced legroom in economy class again, and British Airways stated that passengers who paid the least would board last.

It seems even economy-class passengers aren’t treated equally, and those seeking more premium services will have to pay extra. Airlines’ money-driven approach is set to intensify in 2018.

★ 3. Cruise Travelers Are Getting Younger

Cruise tourism is booming, with ships becoming larger and more diverse. The perception of cruises as exclusive to retirees is fading, especially in emerging Asian markets. According to the Cruise Lines International Association, 40% of Asian cruise passengers are under 40, and Taiwan saw over a million cruise travelers in 2017—ranking second in Asia—with many being young people.

Cruise lines are capitalizing on this younger demographic by offering tailored experiences. These include daily communication via mobile apps, nightly parties, and onboard amenities like go-kart tracks, water slides, rock climbing walls, surfing simulators, and laser tag battles—all designed to turn cruises into party ships for the younger generation.

★ 4. Wellness & Seclusion Travel Gains Popularity

As modern life becomes increasingly urbanized, travel has become a way to seek tranquility. To meet this demand, lesser-known destinations like Antarctica, remote islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, Nepal, and Africa—boasting unparalleled natural beauty—are gaining favor.

However, many of these places are expensive to visit, leading to the rise of “serenity amid chaos” retreat-style travel. Many international hotels now offer wellness-focused rooms for relaxation and meditation. The Westin even provides helicopter transfers from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon for yoga sessions. Meanwhile, fitness classes amidst the treasures of New York’s Metropolitan Museum have also become popular travel experiences.

★ 5. Over-Touristed Destinations Face Regulation

Iceland (with a tourist-to-resident ratio of 7:1), Venice’s crowded St. Mark’s Square, noise-polluted Amsterdam, and packed ancient Kyoto... While tourism’s economic benefits are undeniable, these globally beloved destinations are suffering from the downsides of overtourism.

Since last year, measures like Amsterdam’s tourism tax reform, Venice’s rejection of large cruise ships, and Kyoto’s adjusted sightseeing bus fares have been introduced by local governments and tourism authorities. These steps aim to ensure sustainable tourism development while easing overcrowding and directing attention to lesser-known destinations.