Travel inspirations may first be borne out of trendsetting travellers, but experiences are refined by creative destination specialists and ideas amplified by media channels
It is always fun and inspiring to check out travel trend projections for the new year, to understand what people will travel for and to see how many of those observations and predictions mirror my own motivations.
For the new year ahead of us, I delight at knowing that unusual hotel stays with attractive backstories as well as literature inspirations are shaping itineraries (see page 13). They join familiar travel motivations – quest for quality time with family members, sports and festivals, and local food souvenirs – and inspire travel and tourism suppliers to get more creative with destination experiences.
Sydney, in particular, is working the sports travel trend well to its advantage. Its strong cricket culture is helping to grow Indian arrivals. Indian cricket fans, who descend on Sydney to catch their favourite teams and players in action, also go on to tour New South Wales, driving tourism benefits deeper into the Australian region.
I am also excited that the concepts of ‘live to travel’ and ‘live to eat’ are colliding. Travellers are not just bookmarking top-rated restaurants at their target destinations, but also expecting experiences that will allow them to peer into the soul of the dish. Young and multi-racial Singapore, often criticised for its lack of history and culture, is correcting this misconception through hawker stalls, heritage brands and hotels dishing out gourmet experiences that link cuisine with history, craft and identity (see pages 24 and 25).
Travel inspirations may first be borne out of trendsetting travellers, but experiences are refined by creative destination specialists and ideas amplified by media channels. Responsible interaction with local people and environments are, therefore, in our hands. As we seek out hidden gems around the world, may we always remember that being able to experience them is a privilege, not a right.
And now – Happy New Year! May we all have a peaceful and prosperous 2026.
