10 radical travel trends to watch for in 2016
Last year was filled with innovations and pioneering trends, from Uber-style private jet companies to mind-blowing tech like smart airline uniforms and 3D-printed hotel suites. So what will this shiny new year hold? We're not psychic, but we can make some educated predictions for some of the travel trends in store for 2016. Here goes:
1. Wellness-focused kids' clubs in hotels. As we move into the new year, don't be surprised if your child's hotel offerings go beyond scavenger hunts and cookies with milk. According to a Starwood rep, the Westin Family Kids Club swaps the Mickey Mouse posters for natural hues and lighting, nature-themed artwork, indoor trees and a Vertical Garden (where they can actually garden). There's also The Ritz-Carlton, which operates its kids clubs on the pillars of water, land, environmental responsibility and culture. Its Bali property is particularly wellness focused, with children's spa time and morning stretching, along with active pursuits like soccer and Balinese dance.
2. Business travelers shopping with points in airports. As Skift recently reported, it's now possible to shop at airports with points – at least in United's new popup shop in the Newark Airport. MileagePlus members can spend their hard-earned points at the Miles Shop and at select restaurants and bars in the terminal (although most of the items sold would be cheaper to buy online). Still, it's a clever concept that may catch on with other carriers and in other airports.
3. The rise of no-frills fares. If Cheapflights.com's predictions for 2016 are correct, legacy airlines will jump on the no-frills bandwagon as low-cost carriers get more competitive. As Cheapflights wrote:
"Witness American Airlines jumping on the bandwagon with the addition of no-frill fares, the success of Norwegian Air, which just started serving Las Vegas and the international airfare wars driven by the growth of WOW Air, which recently added transatlantic flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco to its lineup and has announced plans for service from Toronto and Montreal."
If the site is correct, we'll see a welcome balance in the North American aviation market.
4. The return of the long-haul flight. Another Cheapflights.com forecast is that falling oil prices will bring the return of the extreme long-haul flight. To start, we'll see Emirates' 17.5-hour flight from Dubai to Panama City (launching February 1), Singapore Airlines' 19-hour flight from Singapore to New York (launching 2018) and, potentially, Qantas' nonstop flights between Australia and Europe (possibly launching in 2017).
5. More overhead bin space. After a year that included the idea to shrink the onboard baggage allowance and people suggesting we do away with carry-ons entirely, it's exciting to see airlines going the other way. Boeing is adding new "Space Bins" on its 737s, which increase overhead bin space by 50%. They've already been adopted by several carriers, including Alaska Airlines, Delta and United Airlines. While some flights already have the larger bins, Alaska Airlines – the first to spring for the Space Bins – says it will be fully outfitted by the end of 2017.
6. Solo travel becoming mainstream.The New York Times cited a 2015 Visa Global Travel Intentions Study, noting the number of travelers heading overseas solo grew from 15% to 24% from 2013 to 2015. And it's not just for overland travel; according to James Cole, Managing Director at Cruise118.com, the number of travelers booking solo cruises for 2016 is double from what it was at this point in 2015 – and counting.
7. Atypical modes of business travel. In the past, business travelers stayed in business-oriented hotels, had rental cars and carried a briefcase – but that stereotype isn't entirely accurate anymore. Thanks to startups and alternative accommodations, business travelers crave more control and customization for their trips. That has led to the launch of Airbnb for Business and the rise of ridesharing services, which are now more popular than taxis for road warriors.
8. Try before you buy. Travel companies have begun experimenting with Virtual Reality (VR) in many creative ways. According to Booking.com, 2016 will see an increased number of travel companies and tour operators using VR to give prospective guests a true taste of what to expect, with big players like Google making this "accessible as well as consumable."
9. Bolder road warriors. Booking.com also believes the growth of localized information, GPS technology and travel guiding apps will lead to more adventurous road warriors heading to more remote places – as well as destinations like Cuba, Iran, Sri Lanka and Myanmar (Burma) that have recently become more accessible.
10. Tiny house travel. As our gadgets and airplane seats get smaller, so do our houses, at least according to Maggie McCombs, content marketer at Creative Lodging Solutions. Portable Tiny Houses are gaining traction, as they guarantee a cheap place to stay on the road – and you can not only travel with your own pillow, but with your own bed, too.
Jessica Festa is the founder on the solo and offbeat travel blog, Jessie on a Journey, and the online responsible tourism and culture magazine, Epicure & Culture. She's constantly searching for local experiences beyond the guidebook. You can follow her travels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.