2017 is upon us, and travel giant Frommer’s and other experts recently offered their take on what we can expect. Without further ado, here are the 2017 travel trends to keep in mind as you plan your travel this year.
1. A new kind of opulence
According to Forbes, we can expect to see a redefinition of luxury taking shape at hotels across the nation. It’s not that we can’t expect nice things, but we can expect them to be more carefully selected and less in-your-face. “Less is more” will be the guiding philosophy for hotel opulence in 2017, according to Forbes.
This means hotels will focus on perfecting the things that matter most, like the bed you sleep in instead of that awkwardly placed chair in the room that no one ever uses.
2. More airline options — and way more fees
Pauline Frommer of Frommer’s Travel recently spoke with NPR about what travelers can expect in 2017. First up are more itemized charges for everything airlines offer, including, in some cases, the ability to put a bag in the overhead bin. These charges coincide with the introduction of a lower “base fare” that sounds appealing to bare-bones travelers. But Frommer says that aren’t exactly what they seem — they save travelers as little as $25, while charging just as much to be able to check a bag.
“It’s a little tricky what the airlines are pulling on us for 2017,” she told NPR.
3. Feel free to book on your phone
If you book your business travel reservations on your phone, you’ll be in the majority in 2017. According to American Express Global Business Travel, mobile bookings will account for the majority of all digital bookings in the coming year. With this, we can hopefully expect more mobile apps and more user-friendly features to make it easier for everyone.
Unsurprisingly, millennials are the ones most likely to rely on mobile for all their business travel needs.
4. Go to Europe
Seriously, 2017 is the year to travel to Europe, due in large part to the fluctuating value of the euro. Frommer told NPR that the cost of travel to Paris, for example, is down 30 percent. Take advantage of these deals while you can!
The same savings also apply to Canada, she said, and the nation’s 150th anniversary brings all kinds of fun events.
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