2022 was a year where travel was back on the cards and thankfully so!
Most likely due to the travel hiatus and being restricted in movement, travellers will be focusing their attention on experiences that have a lasting and positive impact.
2023 will be the year for self-improvement and transformative wellness retreats as predicted by Conde Nast Traveler. Travellers on these holistic retreats in 2023 will focus on overcoming grief, finding purpose, and moving their bodies, according to the same source.
These trends will be heavily focused on travellers looking for health and wellness retreats, so pay attention and consider how you can fine-tune your offerings to what travellers are looking for.
The following roundup of 2023 Travel Trends is based on both the Conde Nast Traveler article and Booking.com’s Travel Predictions for 2023.
1. Different Ways To Travel
As the world reopens and travel restrictions ease, we will be exploring different ways to travel. This could mean shorter trips, alternative destinations, or new methods of transportation. We will embrace the new normal of travel and find creative ways to explore the world.
In 2023, 73% of people expect to travel more than they did in 2022, according to Booking.com.
How to apply this trend to your retreat:
You could offer weekend retreats among your week long retreats to satisfy the need for shorter trips, and even open up local markets.
2. Eccentric Food Will Be A Priority
One of the memorable experiences of a yoga and wellness retreat is the food itself. Usually sourced locally, organic and healthy. So you’ll be happy to hear that in 2023 the food itself will play a big role as people travel for foodie experiences.
47% of Booking.com survey respondents highlighted the need for eccentric eating experiences.
How to apply this trend to your retreat:
Include food tours, cooking classes and creative dishes to satisfy your guests.
3. Increased Demand For Spiritual Retreats
The popularity of yoga retreats, meditation programs, prayer retreats, and holistic wellness experiences could surge this year because many people (44%) are also seeking spiritual experiences while travelling.
4. Blending Work With Holidays
Remote work has become more and more accepted and has become a reality for many.
It would be great to offer working retreats that combine yoga, meditation, healthy food, and time for work. Yes, retreats are typically seen as a way to get away from everyday life and work. However, this more innovative approach to working holidays may allow for longer retreats.
How to apply this trend to your retreat:
Consider offering 3-4 week working holiday retreats.
5. Travellers Will Seek To Disconnect While on Holiday
On the flip side of remote work, many travellers in 2023 might actually want to completely disconnect and relax instead. A digital detox is a 21st-century term. It is a period of time during which a person refrains from using electronic devices such as smartphones or computers, regarded as an opportunity to reduce stress or focus on social interaction in the physical world.”
According to 66% of respondents, their holidays should be free of work and technology.
6. Employees Want That Their Employers Invest In Retreats Abroad
In 2023, 51% of respondents stated they want their employers to pay for company retreats out of the savings made possible by remote work.
Remote workers still long for a connection with their coworkers, and they view team-building activities like corporate trips and retreats as a chance to do this outside of the confines of the workplace. These kinds of work travels, according to 44% of respondents, benefit from team building.
How to apply this trend to your retreat:
Instead of marketing your retreat to individuals, you could approach companies that employ a large number of remote workers. They will be needing to bring their personnel together and what better way to do this than in a beautiful and wellness focused setting.
7. Travellers Are Budget Conscious
With a potential recession on the horizon, travellers are carefully considering their travel expenditures for 2023, with 50% of respondents stating they still view holiday spending as a top financial priority.
68% of travellers are cost-conscious, choosing experiences over costly travel expenses like luxurious lodging.
How to apply this trend to your retreat:
With this in mind, ensure you offer payment plans to make the investment in your retreat accessible.
8. Travellers Will Want To Use Trips For Self-Improvement
In 2023, travellers will be looking to improve themselves and their skills. They will be planning their trips based on the lessons they will pick up along the way.
58% of individuals desire to travel for this reason, thus skill development is one area they are giving priority to.
How to apply this trend to your retreat:
Include classes and workshops in your retreat itineraries. E.g. cooking classes, Human Design Chart workshops, Aromatherapy classes, Functional Movember or Breathwork workshops.
9. More People Are Thinking About Hiring Travel Agents For Their Next Getaway
According to Forbes, a recent Virtuoso survey found that 76% of travellers, including millennials and Gen Zers, are willing to spend more money on travel advisors to make their trips easier in 2023.
According to Travel Pulse, working with a travel advisor can save travellers time and energy because these advisors can handle transportation logistics and check pandemic-era entry requirements for various countries.
How to apply this trend to your retreat:
Reach out to travel agents and get your retreats on their books.
10. Travelling During The Off-Season Is On The Rise
According to Forbes Advisor, off-season travel is all about avoiding large crowds during peak travel times for tourist destinations, such as holidays and summertime.
After a busy year of travel in 2022, when tourists clogged the streets of several European cities, Forbes reported that most Virtuoso travellers are willing to travel during off-seasons.
How to apply this trend to your retreat:
Open up some off-season retreat dates to fill up your calendar.
Conclusion
These 2023 travel trends will help to fuel the already thriving health and wellness industry, which is fantastic news for you. Use these trends to fine-tune your retreat offerings and marketing strategies, and you’ll be able to ride the wave and make a positive impact.
