Top travel trends for 2011

Top travel trends for 2011

Article by Isla Campell

While the recession brought about the era of the budget-beating ‘staycation’ that led to many Brits choosing domestic holidays in the UK, the improving economic situation has seen more holidaymakers heading abroad once again in 2010 – and the trend is set to continue, as those who were denied foreign holidays by the credit crunch aim to make up for lost time in 2011.While the age of staycations may have come and gone, the lessons it taught about value-for-money holidays left a deep impact on travellers, who are now more eager than ever to seek out the best deals on trips abroad. Having learned the most effective ways to bag cheap flight tickets when they first go on sale, and to favour destinations outside of the eurozone where their travel money can go further, today’s holidaying Brits are more savvy and demanding of value on their breaks.Travel is increasingly becoming a universal pastime, with holiday bookers reporting a surge in the number of older travellers choosing holidays. Conversely, more families with young children are also eager to take their little ones overseas to enjoy their formative holiday experiences in foreign countries. This will likely lead to more travel companies, hotels and tour operators offering custom packages for both younger and older travellers in 2011, ensuring holidays are enjoyed equally by all the family.So what destinations are predicted to feature highly on the lists of holidays 2011? Travel experts have identified a number of trends that they believe point to the countries likely to benefit the most from tourism in the coming year, many of them due to the inspirational power of sporting events.South Africa received a great deal of international attention in the summer of 2010 thanks to its hosting of the FIFA World Cup. The country’s tourism industry is expected to continue reaping the benefits of this event for a long time to come, as those who enjoyed their trip to South Africa for the games – for many, the first time they had set foot on the continent – tell their friends back home of the numerous opportunities it offers, such as safari holidays.Brazil is another nation with strong ties to sports, both for its numerous star players and athletes as well as its hosting of two of the world’s foremost sporting events in the next few years – namely the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games in 2016. This means Brazil still has a few years to boost its tourism infrastructure and make its cities and coastal resorts even more appealing to the international crowd, which is sure to descend on the South American country in record numbers from 2011 onwards.

About the Author

Isla Campbell writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.