Travel in the Modern Age

With prices at an all-time high, traveling has become a lot more difficult over the years. However, despite the prices, many people have managed to find convenient tools to aid them in getting to their desired destination. They are also more cautious with where they are traveling to.

From traveling to shopping and dining in the local area, are people truly willing to spend the money to travel in the modern age? The short answer: Yes. The long answer, according to American Express’ article, “2023 Global Travel Trends Report” is, “86% of Gen-Z and Millenial respondents and 83% of all surveyed respondents want to shop at small businesses when they travel to a new location. 69% of all respondents would spend more during a vacation if they knew it supported the local community” (2020). Not only are they willing to support the community of their travel choice, but people are also traveling more this year than they have in years.

In Forbes’ article, “Travel Trends 2023: 49% of Consumers Plan to Travel More in 2023” it is stated, “45% of respondents are allowing for a higher travel budget in 2023 than they spent in 2022. A little more than a quarter of respondents (28%) said their budgets would remain about the same this year as last year. Most respondents (49%) expect to spent $4,000 or more on travel during the calendar year, with another 28% budgeting between $2,000 to $3,999” (2023). Most of these trips will be to visit family and friends, road trips, beach vacations, and celebratory events.

With that being said, the top searches for those who are traveling this year according to Travel + Leisure are London, Cancun, Paris, Orlando, Rome, and New York City. (Article: This Might Be the Most Popular Summer Travel Destination, According to Google Searches, 2023). More Americans are also traveling solo this year. With inflation, it’s likely easier to travel solo than it is to travel in a group.

Travel prices have indeed gone up, but it has not taken away the desire to travel. If anything, there are more travel plans in store for 2023 than expected. NerdWallet’s article “Travel Inflation Price Tracker: September 2023” by Sally French and Sam Kemmis says, “While airfares are certainly lower compared to last year, pretty much every other aspect of travel is higher. Hotel prices fell from their record highs hit last month, but are still up nearly 3% over the past year. The cost of dining out is up nearly 7% over the past year, and entertainment costs are up more than 5%” (2023). A fellow traveler, Ashlee Tregellas, even claims that despite the inflation, she’s “planning on a weeklong getaway to the Smoky Mountains this year.”

If you are traveling, be safe and travel smart. Spend your money wisely and plan to budget enough wherever you choose to go. It’s important when you’re traveling in the modern age to not forget that we live in a different world today that requires more caution and wisdom.