The travel prediction reports for 2023 have been pouring in, and the consensus on at least one thing is resounding: 2023 will see travel reimagined. According to online travel agency Booking.com, 2023 travel trends will be about creative reimagining amidst the chaos of the present. Whether that’s rethinking what wellness looks like or reconsidering what kinds of experiences one would like out of a destination, one thing is certain. Come next year, people will be seeking comfort and balance more than anything else.
Off the Beaten Path Travels
Photo courtesy Copal Tree Lodge
According to Forbes contributor Angelina Villa-Clarke, travel experts and leading tour operators are expecting a rise in travel to off-the-beaten path locations. Post-pandemic, many travelers have become familiar with the experience of exploring destinations without the usual crowd. Among this 2023 travel trend prediction, hiking and visits to national parks and reserves may be more sought after than ever.
What to do: Enjoy solitude in hiking at the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. Climb Belize’s second highest mountain, Victoria Peak. Or Challenge yourself with the intimidating but awe-inspiring Black Hole Drop in the Maya Mountains.
Where to stay: Offering guests a restorative experience that’s as memorable as it is rejuvenating, Copal Tree Lodge, a Muy’ono Resort, is hidden away in southern Belize’s rainforest. Immerse yourself in your jungle getaway with on-site hiking or a leisurely trip down the Rio Grande river.
Mindful Meditation and Wellness Retreats
Image via Itz’ana Resort
Another travel trend predicted for 2023 is a continued increase in Wellness Travel. Reports have shown that wellness travel has become one of the travel industry’s fastest growing sectors. And it comes as no surprise. Beyond the self-care buzzwords, now more than ever, many of us are craving ways to reset mind, body, and spirit. Regardless of what wellness looks like to each individual traveler—ranging from meditation to fitness—attaining peace and balance will be a priority this new year.
What to do: Visit one of Belize’s many world-class yoga centers or wellness spas. Connect with nature, and yourself, in the grandiose Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve.
Where to stay: Belize’s Muy’ono Resorts offers a wide array of wellness packages, including wellness retreats at the small, uncrowded tropical paradise that is Thatch Caye.
Feeding Our Nostalgia
Old Belize’s train ride is an immersive experience into Belize’s culture and history, popular for cruise goers. Image courtesy of property.
There is comfort in the familiar. Next year will see a lot more people trying to recapture the bliss of their fondest travel memories. They’ll also be seeking out places that remind them of simpler times. Booking.com has found that some 88% of travelers will be looking for nostalgic getaways next year.
“There’s a desire – even for millennials and Gen-Zs who never lived it – to disappear into the romanticism of a pre-digital era, with nearly a quarter (23%) of travelers chasing experiences that evoke (faux) emotive memories of days gone past, such as visiting landmarks or attractions featured in iconic retro films or opting for a bus as a primary mode of transport to live the group spirit of school trips.”
-Booking.com
What to do: Revisit popular Belize destinations that you and the family may have already enjoyed like Xunantunich or Shark Ray Alley. Visit one of the oldest churches in Belize. Travel back in time with Old Belize’s mini-train tour.
Where to stay: Victoria House Resort & Spa boasts stunning Victorian-era decor and exudes a level of charm that any visitor will be sure to enjoy.
Embracing the Unfamiliar
Fresh seafood on display at Caramba’s Restaurant.
From trying new foods to exploring hidden gems, Booking.com also says that 2023 travel trends will see travelers stepping out of their comfort zones. In other words, they’ll be “delighting in the discomfort zone” a lot more. And one of the best ways to do this is learning about and embracing cultural differences. Whether it’s bottled up energy, pent-up frustration or a new lease on life, the travel report states, travelers will be diving head first into new experiences. Belize, teeming with vibrant cultures, is one of the perfect places to do just that.
What to do: Go on a food tour, and get to experience the taste of Belize. Visit a culturally rich town. Embrace your inner creative.
Where to stay: Culture, cuisine, adventure—Naia Resort & Spa in Placencia has it all. Both foodies and culture travellers with feel right at home at this celebrity-approved resort.
Featured Image by Copal Tree Lodge
