Hotel Les Roches Rouges, dubbed the modern interpretation of Fizgerald’s vision of the Riviera. (Photo: Hotel Les Roches Rouges)
Travellers’ habits are rapidly changing as more emphasis are placed on wellness, affordability and the environmental impact of our stay. Find out what’s taking off around the world and the trends everyone will be jumping on this year.
Maximising the mini breaks
2019 has been touted as the year of ‘bite-sized travel’, which means squeezing quality holidays into shorter time frames. Travel apps are making booking flights, transport and accommodation much easier, prompting travellers to ditch long vacations in favour of short getaways. The latter also gives rise to unusual accommodation options such as pods, yurts and rainforest tree houses.
TRY THIS: Brought to you by same people behind Sekeping Serendah, Sekeping Jugra in Old Klang Road consists of eight courtyards surrounding a quaint single-storey house built in the 1950s. There’s also a pool and roof farm where guests are welcomed to plant and pick their own food. For something closer to nature, Parallel Aurora Cabins in Sungai Lembing, Pahang allows you to wind down with a spectacular forest view. The individual cabins are perfect for couples who prioritise privacy.
Insta-holidays
It’s a real thing, especially in the UK. A survey conducted by Schofields Insurance revealed that 40.1% of respondents under 33 years old consider ‘instagrammability’ the most important factor when choosing a holiday destination. Even if you’re not on Instagram, the following recommendations will certainly appeal to avid shutterbugs.
TRY THIS: From orange-leaved vineyards in autumn to postcard-perfect mountain villages blanketed in snow, Trentino Alto Adige in Italy offers breathtaking views in every direction. A trip to Marmolada, the highest mountain in the Dolomites is also a must. If France is on your travel list, give Paris a miss and make a beeline for Saint-Raphaël in Côte d’Azur, a resort town famous for beaches that line the Mediterranean coast. The Hotel Les Roches Rouges, dubbed the modern interpretation of Fizgerald’s vision of the Riviera, makes for a stylish stay.
Wellness escapes
Global Wellness Institute projected that wellness tourism, which include health-centric stays and spa treatments, will be growing twice as fast as general tourism and reach US$919 million in 2022 from the US$639 billion in 2017. If you feel the need to recover from New Year overindulgence, these healthy experiences will put you in the right track again.
TRY THIS: The Spa Village at Pangkor Last Resort and The Banjaran Hot Spring Resort in Ipoh are excellent options within reach. But if you’re willing to splurge, The Ranch Malibu in the US offers silent meditation hikes, also known as forest bathing. For a detox escape, the vine-clad villa L’Albereta in Italy will help you rejuvenate with their lymphatic-draining massage, mud wraps and meridian-boosting jet baths.
No to plastic
The environment is a big talking point. Booking.com predicts that more travellers will seek sustainable experiences and accommodations that reduce plastic usage. About 86% of global travellers told the holiday company they would be willing to spend time on activities that offset the environmental impact of their stay.
TRY THIS: Tri Lanka at Koggala Lake in Sri Lanka ticks all the boxes of a luxury eco-friendly resort, from its green roofs to its solar hot water and recycled wood. Sustainable design aside, the contemporary hotel is nestled in the lush landscape, encouraging one to do yoga next to the jungle or partake in the spa’s extensive treatments. Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, Hawaii’s first LEED-certified resort, prides itself on its sustainable stance, using a solar hot water system, low-flow plumbing fixtures, glassware made of recycled wine bottles and a food hydrator to compost food waste.
