Top 5 Travel Trends For 2012

Hiking & walking holidays are a 2012 travel trend. Photo credit: SeekingGreener.com.

Making your travel plans for 2012?  Whether you’re planning Italy holidays to camping holidays in France, you’ll want to be aware of the 2012 travel trend predictions.

Cheapflights has highlighted five important trends that will shape the travel landscape in 2012.

Here are the company’s Top 5 Travel Trends For 2012:

1) Value for Money:  “Consumers should be looking out for freebies, sales, discounts and two-for-ones. The industry should see a rise in consumer demand for things like package holidays, all-inclusives and cruises…Old Eurozone favorites such as Spain, Italy, Ireland, Greece and Portugal will most likely go up in popularity, particularly for short breaks.”

2) Rise in Pet Travel: “The UK’s Pet Travel Scheme will make it easier than ever to travel within the EU (and) some non-EU countries. Pets such as dogs, cats and ferrets can skip the currently required blood test and the £100 cost associated with it and will spend less time in quarantine.”

3) Athletic Voluntourism Holidays:  “Getting into the Olympic spirit, (2012) is set to see the introduction of a new holiday ‘type’ trend – athletic voluntourism… This trend is growing and spreading into other areas of sport including cycling, hiking and walking.”

4) Reality TV Drives Destination Trends: “Mykonos in Greece (gained) a whopping 89% rise in search after X Factor Judge Tulisa took her singing hopefuls there to compete…Cannes in the South of France (climbed) by 39% after serving as the location for a Made in Chelsea episode.”

5) The New Upgrade: “Freebies, perks and new ways to upgrade will define the face of flying for 2012…There will be new and creative ways to give yourself a mini-upgrade for more leg room, more luggage room and more comfort.”