Agoda research unveils travel key trends and expectations for the 2020s

Single apps for all travel needs, passport-free travel, and mobile app check-in are the top three ‘new travel norms’ expected by travelers in the next decade, according to new research by Agoda, the world’s fastest-growing digital travel platform, hospitalitynet.org reports.

With the continued advancement of technology, revolutionary travel apps, and better connectivity, people expect a lot more from their travel experience during the next decade. Specifically, Southeast Asians half of all respondents in Indonesia (56%), Singapore (54%), Malaysia (53%), Taiwan (50%), the Philippines (48%) and Thailand (48%) considering this the norm in the next decade. This compares to only a third of people in the United Kingdom and the United States (33%).

Specifically, in Taiwan (50%) and in Southeast Asia half of all respondents in Indonesia (56%), Singapore (54%), Malaysia (53%), the Philippines (48%) and Thailand (48%) regarding this the norm in the next decade. This compares to only a third of people in the United Kingdom and the United States (33%).

Meanwhile, Singapore (50%), Vietnam (47%), Philippines (45%), China (44%) and Australia (41%) are the top five origins most likely to see a future with passport-free travel. In the UK and US, they are less expectant of this advancement with only 1 in 5 expecting it to be the norm within the next decade.

Technology has already made such a positive impact on how and where people travel since innovative technologies, like those developed at Agoda, give travelers instant access to millions of hotels and home properties around the world with real-time pricing and availability.

“It is a technology golden age for travelers, as technology is developed to simplify the way anyone, anywhere can search, book and pay for flights, hotels or holiday accommodation. The 2000s were defined by the mouse and the computer, putting online travel booking just a click away. The 2010s were defined by the smartphone and app and put a travel agent in the pocket of every phone owner, and the 2020s will be defined by the power of data and Machine Learning (AI). This will enable companies like Agoda to provide personalized, more relevant recommendations to make booking travel even easier,” explains Timothy Hughes, Vice President of Corporate Development at Agoda. “Asian travelers, in particular, are enthused by, and expectant of, technology developments that enhance and simplify their travel experience. Asian based companies are now leading the world in technology adoption and development to achieve this. I expect to see Asia press ahead with that lead in the 2020s – particularly in areas such as video and augmented reality, improved mobile services with more chat and voice solutions, and payments to help bring the “unbanked” online”.

Globally, people want to increase travel, but also to make eco-friendlier travel choices.

Universally, people want to increase the amount of travel they undertake in the 2020s. Exploring more of their own country is cited by 40% of respondents globally, while international travel more often is anticipated at 35%.

What’s also interesting, in the context of global narratives on climate sustainability, is the trend that over a quarter want to make more eco-friendly travel choices in the next decade. Travelers from Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia are most keen to make eco-friendlier choices perhaps more aware than others with the recent closure of Maya Bay in Thailand, and the Boracay rehabilitation program in the Philippines, and thus travelers want to do their bit even when on holiday.

Travelers in the 35-44 and 55+ age groups are most likely to want to explore their own countries and territories more (40% and 42% respectively), with those from China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, The Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, US, and Vietnam electing domestic destinations within their top three wishlist destinations for the coming decade.

Meanwhile, Korean and Japanese travelers see themselves taking more solo trips within the next decade. Taiwanese and Indonesians would prefer taking a sabbatical or gap year.