The GRN Newsletter 2023

Welcome to 2023, travel agents! We are excited to announce the launch of our new initiative here at GRNconnect, The GRN Newsletter on LinkedIn. Here, we will share biweekly advice, tips, insights, and news to help you grow your travel business. Additionally, we will share insights from other industry leaders here on LinkedIn to help you connect and network with new people.

2023 is predicted to be even better than 2022, and we want to help you be a part of that. So please make sure to subscribe today so you don't miss out on any future articles!

5 Travel Industry Trends to Increase Your 2023 Profits

Travel industry trends and predictions for 2023 have recently been released by a number of organizations. Today, we want to share some of our favorites with you. As a bonus, we’re sharing tips for how you use these trends as a travel agent to grow your business.?

2023 is going to be another great year for the travel industry. Are you ready to be a part of it??

1. People are spending more money.?

Not only is the U.S. Travel Foundation forecasting an increase in travel spending, but there have been studies showing that much of it will go towards upgrades and luxury experiences. According to a Booking.com study, 49% of respondents are likely to spend more on their next trip. This trend is especially strong with younger travelers as a study by Expedia found that 80% of respondents between 18-34 are willing to pay for upgrades.??

??? What this means for you as a travel agent: Make sure to always have a few upsells in mind when speaking with clients about their trips. It should be much easier to get a yes right now. Additionally, don’t be afraid to pitch trips and experiences that are a step or two above what your clients normally go for. They may surprise you with a yes.?

2. Sustainability is at the forefront of travelers’ minds.?

People are interested in traveling slower and reducing their carbon footprint. As a result, many are skipping flying when possible and scheduling shorter hops combined with train trips when it is not.?

Additionally, a Virtuoso survey found that 70% of respondents feel that traveling sustainably enhances their experience. Additionally, many travelers are eager to support the communities they are traveling to. This has led to growth in Indigenous communities taking control of travel experiences offered on their lands.??

??? What this means for you as a travel agent: Positively emphasizing the environmental impact of a potential trip will let your clients know that you support their values. Using a simple emissions calculator to calculate the carbon footprint of a trip only takes a moment or two of your time. Your clients will appreciate how you go the extra mile for them! Be prepared to offer travel alternatives that might help them reduce their footprint as well.??

Additionally, spend some time researching experiences that support communities in a positive way. Be ready to share these with your clients as they may be looking for this type of travel opportunity.?

3. The workcation trend isn’t going anywhere.??

Traditional properties are marketing discounts on extended stays and perks such as pools, bars, and fitness centers. All-inclusive hotel stays are also increasing. These are helpful amenities for people who are working remotely from a vacation location as it allows them to access what they want and need without needing to leave the hotel.?

To build on the trend, some people are beginning to take trips dubbed “lisness ” trips. These trips are longer and more leisure-focused, with a smaller amount of time reserved for business activities. As many are focused on their mental health in 2023, these trips are a more relaxed version of workcations.?

??? What this means for you as a travel agent: Prepare yourself with some good options for longer vacations. Highlight the amenities provided and show how they are designed to make a workcation or lisness trip easier. Share these options with your clients who may be looking for this type of experience.?

4. Educational and experiential trips are extremely popular.

A survey by GetYourGuide found that 90% of respondents want to experience their destinations “like a local,” and experiential travel is top on many lists. Travelers are seeking fully immersive experiences where they get to taste the food and participate in local traditions.??

Travelers are focusing on educational experiences as well. A recent study conducted by The Luminaire queried the appeal of “luxury educational travel experiences” and 90% rated them as an 8 or higher out of ten.?

??? What this means for you as a travel agent: Take some time to research any immersive or educational trips that your clients may be interested in.??

5. Travelers are planning ahead again.??

And they are planning ahead even more than they were in the past. A Virtuoso survey found travelers are booking further ahead now than they were in 2019 and an Amex travel survey found that 50% of respondents are already thinking of summer 2023 travels. For those who want to stay in the best suites and hotels, there are predictions that travelers will begin planning as much as two years ahead of time.??

??? What this means for you as a travel agent: Reach out to clients earlier than you normally would about their usual vacations. Make sure to remind them that a lot of stays are booking up fast due to high demand.??

Other 2023 Travel Industry Trends?

Transformation retreats will surge.?

Set-jetting is predicted to increase.??

Airport lounges are getting upgrades.?

Art-hotels are trending.?

Menus using adaptogenic foods are on the rise.

When you are informed of upcoming travel industry trends as a travel agent, you can provide better options for your clients. Be careful, though. When you reach out with these ideas, they may accuse you of reading their minds!??

We’d love to know, have you seen any of these trends in your travel business? Are there any that you would like to see more of??

Join the Conversation

Are you interested in talking with other travel industry professionals about these and other trends on LinkedIn? Check out this list of posts we found while researching this article!

• Eleni Skarveli shares her insights on sustainability and what she is doing to increase sustainable initiatives in Greece.
• Allyson Whitton shares a list of trends she believes are helping the hospitality industry as a whole to grow in 2023.
• Sabyasachi M. discusses trends that are specific to luxury travel that he expects will increase in the upcoming year.
• All Inclusive - luksusowy magazyn o podró?ach shares how Britons are increasingly seeking out vacations that force them to unplug (think, no Wi-Fi access at all), which we believe may trend internationally.
• And Ruiqi Chen is starting a conversation about the surge in alcohol-free cocktail popularity, which many are predicting will increase in availability at dining establishments in 2023.

?????? Don't forget to like and comment on the posts shared here if you found them insightful.

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