The travel industry is not immune to trends and fads, whether it be for business, leisure, or even bleisure… yes it’s a thing… combining business and leisure! 2023 is shaping up to be an exciting year for travel and World Leisure Holidays tick all the boxes!

An Authentic Experience

People are yearning for unique and authentic travel experiences and as such travel packages and itineraries will be geared towards such experiences. Embracing the local culture of the destination you choose to visit is incredibly rewarding through sampling local cuisine, visiting local markets and interacting with local communities. Whether it’s taking in the unspoilt natural beauty of Seychelles, participating in a Creole cooking lesson in Mauritius, revelling in the interesting architecture of Zanzibar or riding the Maldivian Dhoni boat, all our island holidays in the Indian Ocean will tick the box of an authentic experience.

Sustainability

Sustainable travel is becoming more important as is the awareness to reduce our carbon footprint while seeing the world. Eco-friendly resorts and hotels are utilizing renewable energy sources, low water consumption, and local resources and products, to help protect the environment while still providing a luxurious experience. Many travel destinations around the world are implementing “green” initiatives like the use of recyclable materials, reducing the use of plastics and promoting social development in the community. Community-based tourism ensures that your visit directly benefits the local community.

Family Friendly Travel

With multi-generational families looking to travel together, the trend is towards amazing destinations that offer something for everyone and beach getaways with activities such as water sports, boat excursions and sightseeing are perfect. Most island resorts accommodate children through kids clubs that offer an array of recreational activities to keep the little ones entertained. So, whether it’s soaking up the sunshine, exploring local markets or dancing the night away to live bands, an island getaway offers something to every member of the family.

Wellness

Boosting mind and body is becoming more important to travellers. Many hotels are starting to offer amenities and services that allow guests to unplug from their devices and relax in peace. These services range from tranquil rooms with hammocks and cabanas to libraries, meditation rooms and nap pods. These chill-out zones provide a much-needed escape from the noise and distractions of everyday life, allowing guests to take the time to relax and recharge. Island resorts offer innovative spa treatments for some self-pampering as well as fitness centres so that guests can stay fit while on vacation.

Embracing Technology

Travel is becoming more convenient and secure than ever before, thanks to technology. Travellers can use mobile apps to check in, download boarding passes, and stay updated on flight status. In the tourism sector, contactless payment systems are also gaining popularity. Holding a credit card or another device, like a smartphone, close to a card reader enables contactless payments. There is no need to swipe or insert a credit card because the user’s smartphone connects with the reader. There are even suitcases with technology that enables consumers to track their belongings using their smartphones.

Bleisure Travel

It seems that the modern workforce is increasingly open to the idea of combining business and pleasure on the same trip, often referred to as ”bleisure travel”. This trend has been growing in popularity over the past few years but has accelerated due to the pandemic and the demographic shift in corporate travel. Millennial business travellers are especially likely to extend their trips to include leisure activities. Technology allows for video conferencing and zoom meetings no matter where you are in the world and many resorts/hotels offer flexible workspaces and meeting rooms to accommodate the “bleisure” traveller. So, it looks like the old adage “you can’t mix business with pleasure” is no longer true!

The future of travel is exciting and island holidays are perfect for authentic experiences, are environmentally friendly, cater for all members of a family, embrace wellness, are tech savvy and are ideal for combining business and leisure travel.