2015 travel trends to consider

Travel2015

THE SUN has set on 2014, so our thoughts now turn to the year ahead and all it might reveal.

Predictions can be a dangerous thing, especially in the capricious world of travel, but here is what I’m expecting to see this year.

With travellers seeking to trim their budgets without cutting back on comfort, this year will be about sharing.

When it comes to accommodation, from crashing on a stranger’s couch to sleeping in a luxury penthouse, there are options to suit all pockets.

Now pioneers such as Airbnb are being joined by some interesting newcomers: OneFineStay focuses on upscale properties, while you can probably work out the propositions of Couchsurfing and CampInMyGarden.com.

Sharing a ride is the logical next step. Uber’s growth is matched only by its notoriety, but it’s not the only game in town.

For the traveller, the likes of Relay Rides, Flight Car, and GetAround help you avoid the hassle of renting a car.

Once you have your room and your car sorted, you’ll need to eat. Avoid the chains and try homecooked fare in the company of a local host: Feastly, Cookening, and EatWithALocal all offer just that.

When you’ve had your fill, meet up with another local to share their knowledge: from walking tours of street art in San Francisco to night photography in Paris. Websites such as Vayable can help you tap into a rich seam of local insight.

One thing you’ll want to leave to the professionals, however, is your aircraft. Airbus and Boeing’s rivalry is set to soar this year with the launch of the Airbus A350. Its fuel- efficient carbon wings and fuselage will see it challenge Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner in the longhaul market.

Japan hasn’t produced a commercial plane of its own for around half a century, but this year sees Mitsubishi joining the fray, with a spacious, quiet and efficient new jet to rival Brazil’s Embraer and Canada’s Bombardier.

You’ll be pleased to hear that technology is smartening up airports too: Shanghai, Miami and Copenhagen have been testing technology that can trigger useful information on your smartphone.

For simpler, elemental pleas- ures, look skywards. Even though the sun has only just risen on the year, you may already want to think about it disappearing, albeit fleetingly. The Faroe Islands and Norway’s Svalbard archipelago are the only places where you can watch this year’s total solar eclipse on 20 March. It won’t happen again in Europe until 2026, so book your ticket now. – The Independent on Sunday

LEAVE FLYING TO THE PROS: There’s a smorgasbord of new travel options, and there’s fresh rivalry among airlines over new jets on the market. Above is Japan’s new Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ).