Looking forward
Globetrotters are hungry for stars of the screen and the bright lights of big-city events, writes Sarah Pollok
We may not have a crystal ball to tell us what to expect in the year ahead (although, it would have been handy in 2019), but Expedia does have the next best thing: data. In an attempt to work out what travellers want, the travel platform asked 24,000 people from 17 countries about trips they had planned within the next 36 months, as well as pulling data from Expedia and Bookabach.
The conclusion? Travellers don’t just want to do something new, but something totally different to what they’ve ever done before. Instead of typical trips to well-known spots, Expedia Brands president Jon Gieselman said people are branching out, whether that means embarking on a bucket-list safari in Africa, attending a music festival in London or simply renting a big bach with friends.
Set-Jetters
Travelling to a destination featured in a TV series or movie is already influencing travel decisions and will continue to be a key motivator, according to the study.
One in five (20 per cent) of Kiwis said films and television shows have had a larger influence on their travel plans in the past year, while 21 per cent said they have booked a trip somewhere after seeing it on the silver screen.
Of these featured destinations, Hawaii was the most popular, followed by New York City, Paris then Italy.
Missed the bandwagon? Check out White Lotus and Jumanji for a Hollywood version of Hawaii, while New York City has recently served as the backdrop for Only Murders in the Building, the Sex and the City reboot and West Side Story.