Overtourism, chatbots and the rise of social media influencers were among the main travel trends that emerged within the travel industry in 2017. This is according to a trends report compiled by specialist Cape Town-based travel content and marketing agency, Big Ambitions.
2017 was marked by news of travel bans and new regulations.
The United States has been at the centre of travel ban controversy this year with impromptu bans against certain citizens and laptop equipment in carry-on luggage. According to the Global Business Travel Association, about US$185m was lost in business travel bookings the week President Trump first introduced his controversial travel ban.
The laptop bans to the US and UK and increased airport security in the USA are likely to continue as security concerns fragment the world. We also saw such other regulations affecting South African travellers in 2017, including the Thai ban on vaping and smoking on beaches and measures by destinations to reduce the negative impact of tourism and rising tourist numbers like those imposed in Machu Picchu and Venice.
To view the full trend report, click here or email Danica@bigambitions.co.za for more information.