What can tourism expect from 2023? After the end of the pandemic and the crisis it brought to the hotel sector, the last half of 2022 ended very positively, with expectations for next year being very high.
n fact, ObservaTUR, the national tourism observatory, has predicted the sector will make a full recovery in 2023 with an increase in the number of trips taken. There is still some hesitation, due to ‘negative economic signals’ and prudence may lead to trips of fewer days with less expense. Even so, according to a study by the aforementioned entity, travel agency professionals are "optimistic" about 2023.
Based on the observation of the different trends in the sector in which we work, at Omnitec we have compiled 7 ever-present points for trips in 2023:
1. Technology, a common factor throughout the entire journey
Digitalisation is one of the most important trends amid a widespread digital transformation of tourist accommodation. The use of electronic locks in room doors, digital registration and online reservations for travellers are some of the changes that have already been assimilated by both accommodation owners and travellers.
In fact, the forecast is for all these technologies to be coordinated so that the new connected travellers’ profile can have most of the benefits accessible from their mobile phones.
There is already a significant rise in technologies such as remote management systems for guests at country cottage lets and apartments to access their accommodation without the owner being there, or for travellers to go directly to their rooms without going via reception. Another trend leading to the simplification of processes is for all devices to be linked; so, for example, both the room door and the safe can be opened using the same mobile phone or proximity card technology.
2. Sustainability: a necessity for many travellers
Sustainability is about meeting the needs of current generations without compromising those of future ones. Thus, many accommodation centres will continue to apply sustainability measures, as demanded directly from the public and from travellers themselves, who want to leave a positive impact in their wake as they travel. Sustainability involves all kinds of measures aimed at caring for the environment, but there is also a social aspect which, in tourism, is especially reflected in cooperation between local projects.
3. Energy saving: More efficient hotels
As electricity bills are expected to continue rising in most Spanish homes in 2023, saving energy will be another priority for hotels. Energy consumption is a significant expense in these buildings, which can house thousands of rooms. Many accommodation centres have been working with energy-saving economisers, for a long time, and these are increasingly modernised, with technologies such as movement sensors.
4. The pet friendly phenomenon on the rise
Another trend that has grown in recent years, and is expected to be consolidated in 2023, is the pet friendly accommodation network, which accepts dogs and other pets. As options for animals, mostly dogs, continue to increase at destinations, this type of tourism is expected to grow, especially in rural areas.
5. More interest in travelling abroad
According to the aforementioned study, international travel is also recovering in Spain, which will receive a boost in 2023 for the first time since before the pandemic, with destinations such as European capitals, cruise ships, the United States, Italy, the Caribbean, Portugal, Egypt and Jordan becoming more common.
6. The luxury hotels boom
This trend was seen during the pandemic and is expected to continue growing, with a considerable increase in demand in areas such as Marbella, Madrid and Mallorca. In addition to being chosen by tourists, 5-star hotels have increased dramatically in the centres of large cities.
7. The concept of travel and work is expanding with digital nomads
To date, tourism and work were basically linked to business trips. However, one of the new trends is with people known as “digital nomads”, whose work allows them to change their place of residence in short periods of time. They are often engaged in technology-related jobs and seek cheap accommodation such as ‘COliving’, tourist apartments, hostels or ‘couchsurfing’.