Emerging global travel trends post COVID-19 pandemic

The global tourism industry is recovering strongly from the COVID-19 pandemic, especially thanks to the active participation of young people. This boom highlights new trends, such as exploring less popular destinations, event-based tourism and the powerful combination of technology and travel experiences.

The terraced fields in the ripe rice season in Xim Vang commune are like soft silk ribbons, creating a poetic scene. Photo: Quang Quyet - VNA

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, global tourism is booming, especially among young people. This trend has not only created significant changes in the way people travel, but also reflects new travel trends emerging globally.

According to Jane Sun, CEO of Trip.com, one of the world’s largest travel service providers, the resurgence of tourism is driven by the demand of the younger generation. They are eager to explore new, less popular destinations instead of traditional tourist destinations. This not only helps diversify the global tourism map, but also brings new economic opportunities to previously under-recognized areas.

With the cooperation between travel companies and public transportation systems, such as Japan's railway system, access to these destinations has become easier. This helps to bring new and enriching experiences to young travelers who are always looking for something different and challenging.

In addition to exploring new destinations, event-based tourism is also becoming a booming trend. Major concerts, global events such as Taylor Swift’s tour, and international sporting events all attract large numbers of tourists. Ms. Sun said that this is a great opportunity for countries to invest in tourism infrastructure and attract international visitors. The combination of tourism and leisure is becoming popular, with a growth of up to 70% on Trip.com’s platform in the past year.

In addition, technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), is also playing an important role in promoting the development of tourism. AI not only improves work efficiency, but also enhances the customer experience. At Trip.com, AI has been used to improve customer service, helping the call center respond quickly and reduce the time to process customer requests. The combination of technology and tourism not only creates convenience but also helps optimize tourism activities, from booking air tickets, hotels to additional services.

China, before the COVID-19 pandemic, was the world's largest outbound tourism market, accounting for 25% of global tourism. Despite being severely affected by COVID-19, Chinese tourists have gradually returned in significant numbers. Ms. Sun predicts that in 2024, the number of Chinese tourists will continue to increase sharply, surpassing the figures of 2019. This market is expected to continue to be one of the main drivers of global tourism growth.

Ms. Sun also pointed out three major trends in travel today: leisure travel, sustainable travel, and senior-friendly travel. Consumers are increasingly interested in trips with a low environmental impact, especially with the rise of eco-friendly transportation, such as electric vehicles. The number of electric car bookings on the Trip.com platform has doubled in the past year.

Along with that, senior-friendly tourism is also emerging as an important trend, as this demographic group is expected to generate large revenues in the coming years.

However, despite the huge growth opportunities, the tourism industry still faces three major challenges: visa issues, flight availability and service quality. Countries implementing visa-free policies can significantly boost tourism, especially in large markets such as China. Countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand have seen growth of up to 200% thanks to these policies.

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