Hot new travel trends for 2013

Hot new travel trends for 2013 Getty

What does 2013 hold for travellers? Signs show that despite the harsh economic conditions, we're unlikely to give up our precious holidays anytime soon. In fact, latest figures show that 90 per cent of us are still planning on going on at least one a holiday this year.

That doesn't mean we're not being slightly more fussy about how we spend our money, though. We asked some of the leading experts in the industry for their predictions for the coming year. How will we be spending our hard-earned money, and what will we be looking for?

Holiday trends 2013

We'll start going Greek again
 Greek bookings took a bit of a beating in 2012, not least because of the political unrest. But things are looking up for 2013 says Noel Josephides, managing director at <a href="http://www.sunvil.co.uk" target="_blank">Sunvil</a>. "The pound has appreciated approximately 10 per cent against the euro, and we are predicting a considerable return to Greece as well as Portugal and Spain," Try this: A week's self-catering stay at <a href="http://www.sunvil.co.uk/holidays/greece/corfu/west-corfu/accommodation?open=villa-irene">Villa Irene</a> in the Aghios Gordis on Corfu, which costs from £535 pp (two sharing) in May.
The Northern Lights will cause a stir
 With the Solar Maximum predicted to peak in spring 2013, the trend for Northern Lights holidays is set to continue. Stephanie Eddy, Marketing Manager of <a href="http://www.activitiesabroad.com/" target="_blank">Activities Abroad</a>, says: "We have seen a noticeable surge of requests from parents looking for family-friendly Northern Lights holidays." Try this: <a href="http://www.activitiesabroad.com" target="_blank">Activities Abroad</a>  offers a <a href="http://www.activitiesabroad.com/holidays/82/family-aurora-adventure">Family Aurora Adventure</a> in Nellim in Finnish Lapland from £1,495 pp.
We'll get someone else to do the donkey work
 This may be the age of austerity, but that doesn't mean that we're going to stop taking occasional opportunities to indulge ourselves, says Ted Wake from Kirker Holidays. "Consumers may make less frequent purchases, but they want to make it count when they do spend. Typically, they enjoy delegating the smooth running of their special short break to an expert for a hassle-free, one-stop shopping experience that's not necessarily cheaper but is much more fun and better value for money, including extra touches such as a dinner reservation, opera tickets or perhaps a private walking tour. Try this <a href="http://www.kirkerholidays.com" target="_blank">Kirker Holidays</a> offers three nights at the Do Pozzi hotel in Venice from £538 including flights, water-taxi transfers, accommodation with breakfast, timed entrance to the Doge's Palace, guide notes and the services of the Kirker Concierge.
"Secret hotel" bookings are on the rise
 In a determined search for quality and discounted prices, more Brits will be booking four and five-star ‘secret hotels’ than ever before, says Fulvia Montresor, travel expert at Hotwire.  "In 2012, seven per cent of Brits booked secret hotels. This year, it’s expected that number will increase." When booking secret hotels, holidaymakers get up to 50 per cent off - but don’t know the name of the hotel until they complete their booking. <a href="http://www.hotwire.com/uk/" target="_blank">Hotwire.com</a> recently announced that it had seen a 100 per cent increase in secret hotel bookings in the past 12 months.
We'll expect flexibility
 David Pattison, Head of Product & Marketing, <a href="http://www.vjv.com" target="_blank">Voyages Jules Verne</a>, says: "Despite the continued economic situation, it's clear that travellers are keen not to miss out on their well-earned holidays. Instead, they have become more careful in their choices, seeking out experiences that offer the best value whilst not necessarily being 'cheap and cheerful'.  Try this: Voyages Jules Verne (0845 166 7035, <a href="http://www.vjv.com/">www.vjv.com</a>) has a '<a href="http://www.vjv.com/destinations/far-east/vietnam/highlights-of-vietnam-cambodia/index.html">HighLights of Vietnam & Cambodia</a>' tour that costs from £1,245 pp.
Cycling holidays are the next big thing
 Thanks to the success of the British cycle team in the Tour de France, not to mention Bradley Wiggins' success in the 2012 Olympics, cycling holidays have never been so popular. Jonathan Bryan, managing director of Discover Adventure, says: "We predict that this interest will continue to rise, especially with the Tour de France celebrating its 100th edition in 2013." Try this: Cycle the mountains made famous by the Tour de France on this new trip, a <a href="http://www.discoveradventure.com/challenge.aspx?t=280">nine-day Pyrenees coast-to-coast cycle trip</a> with Discover Adventure <a href="http://www.discoveradventure.com/">www.discoveradventure.com</a>). Departing 15 June and 7 September 2013,  for £826 pp (two sharing) or there's a fundraising target of £2,065 pp (£299 registration fee applies in each case). <div> </div> "We predict that this interest will continue to rise, especially with the Tour de France celebrating its 100th edition in 2013." Sample package: Cycle the mountains made famous by the Tour de France on this new trip, a <a href="http://www.discoveradventure.com/challenge.aspx?t=280">nine-day Pyrenees coast-to-coast cycle trip</a> with Discover Adventure* (01722 718 444, <a href="http://www.discoveradventure.com/">www.discoveradventure.com</a>). Journey from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean and conquer numerous steep cols, including the famous Col du Tourmalet (2,115m). Departing 15 June and 7 September 2013, the trip includes eight nights' hotel accommodation, most meals and Discover Adventure leaders. Flights extra. Participants pay £826 pp (two sharing) or there's a fundraising target of £2,065 pp (£299 registration fee applies in each case). <div> </div>
All-inclusives are on the up
 Victoria Hampton, marketing manager at <a href="http://www.dial-a-flight.co.uk/" target="_blank">DialAFlight</a>, predicts that all-inclusive holidays are likely to be more popular than ever before, as holidaymakers try to avoid nasty surprises on their bills at the end of their stay. "All-inclusive holidays have grown in popularity throughout 2012 and we expect this to continue into 2013. Hotels in the Caribbean and Mexico have always met this demand considerably well and now more and more destinations have started to follow suit, such as Dubai, Asia and the Indian Ocean. This has also contributed to the continuing growth of cruise holidays which, in some instances, offer all meals, drinks and some shore excursions in one all-inclusive package."
Exotic rail trips will be all the rage
 Sightseeing through the window of a train is one of the most relaxing ways to see a country, but train travellers are now looking for more exotic rail journeys to fulfill their holiday expectations.  Maria Cook, general manager at rail holiday specialist  <a href="http://www.ffestiniogtravel.com" target="_blank">Ffestiniog Travel </a>says: "The desire to visit unusual destinations that offer a hint of adventure as well as culture and leisure is increasing among rail travel tourists over the age of 50." Try this: Ffestinog's new 11-day rail trip exploring <a href="http://www.ffestiniogtravel.com/index.php/worldwide/connoisseur-rail-tours/eritrea-a-cairo" target="_blank">Eritrea and Cairo</a> departing in November.
Everyone will want to pretend they're on Downton Abbey
 Peter Hancock, chief executive of Pride of Britain Hotels, says: "With Downton Abbey proving to be one of the most popular period dramas of all time and the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice in 2013, country house hotels and stately homes are very much of the moment." Pride of Britain Hotel members include 17th century <a href="http://www.prideofbritainhotels.com/stapleford_park">Stapleford Park</a> in Leicestershire, National Trust-owned <a href="http://www.prideofbritainhotels.com/hartwell_house_and_spa">Hartwell House</a> in Buckinghamshire and <a href="http://www.prideofbritainhotels.com/Luton_Hoo_Hotel_Golf_and_Spa">Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa</a> in Bedfordshire.
Two or more holidays will be de rigueur
 The UK's appetite for overseas travel remains resilient to the recession, according to Paul Simmons, UK Director for easyJet. "A remarkable 86 per cent of travellers are planning two or more overseas breaks in 2013," he says. "Beach holidays are still a firm favourite, with the Greek Islands revealed as a top destination for 2013 alongside the ever popular Alicante, Faro and Malaga (pictured)." "The introduction of low fares to Moscow, Venice and Reykjavík will open up the range of short trips available, which is great news for the 35% of people who said they were already planning a city break to complement their sun holiday." <div> </div>