The sources of inspiration have evolved with time; they have expanded far beyond traditional means, thanks to technology and the growing interconnectedness of our world. A survey conducted by Booking.com throws light on the sources that influence people to take their next trip. Despite social media taking over our daily lives, the good old word of mouth tops the list, with 45% gathering ideas from friends and family for their next trip. Social media platforms come next, with 39% of global travelers drawing travel inspiration from Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
The list also highlights the reach of search engine results, travel booking sites, travel guide websites, Google Maps, TV shows or movies, traditional travel agencies, newspapers and magazines, and podcasts on influencing people to travel.
Let’s know more about these sources of travel inspiration.
Advice From Friends And/Or Family
Despite social media influencing travel, most people still take travel recommendations from friends, family, and colleagues. 45% of people trust their friends and family to help them choose a destination. When friends and family share their personal stories and experiences (good and bad) during conversations, it gives you an insight into the emotional aspects of a destination. Furthermore, you can ask them questions and recommendations to make travel more appealing and comfortable.
Social Media Platforms
Instagram reels and TikTok have changed the way people travel. Users share their high-quality travel photos, real-time videos, experiences, and recommendations that ignite the desire to visit those places. People now consume travel content online and know about off-beaten, little-explored places thanks to travel influencers. They want to see the aurora borealis in Norway, take a boat cruise to the Italian island of Capri on the Amalfi Coast, or sip red wine overlooking the Eiffel Tower, just as they see the travel influencers doing it online.
Search Engine Results
35% of people have voted for search engines to be an integral part of their travel planning process. You may gather information from your friends and family, travel websites, or social media platforms, but search engines make your holiday take shape. Google and Bing usually have all the answers, from gathering information about the destination to checking photos, getting ideas on travel wardrobes, and reading reviews. Google is planning to roll out its Search Generative Experience that will help travelers build their travel itinerary and help in many more things using artificial intelligence.
Travel Booking Websites
Various travel booking websites inspire 35% of travelers and help them plan trips. Websites like Booking.com, Expedia, or TripAdvisor can lure you into planning a trip by offering attractive deals on flights, hotels, transportation, and tours. Providing a bouquet of services that manage all your travel-related worries makes it easier and more comfortable for people to travel.
Travel Guide Websites/Books/Apps
Popular travel websites like National Geographic Traveler and Condé Nast Traveler feature captivating photography and articles about various locations. These websites offer exhaustive information, from destination guides to practical tips, accompanied by professional photos and videos that can evoke a strong desire to visit new places. No wonder 29% of holiday planners are inspired by this source. Apps like Airbnb offer virtual tours, reviews, and recommendations that can guide users to new destinations. Similarly, TripIt is a travel planner app that organizes all your travel-related information. At the same time, Hopper tells you about when budget airlines are throwing flash sales and limited-time deals, making it easier to save on vacations. Books with their stunning images and little text can inspire you to travel as much as visual media.
Google Maps Or Google Street View
Believe it or not, Google Maps has revolutionized planning holidays to a great extent. 24% of tourists use Google Maps to research places for their holiday trips. The immersive view in Google Maps gives you a photorealistic view of an area and the weather information on a particular day at a specific time. Similarly, Google Street View collects pictures through data collectors and patches them together to create a 360-degree view of a location. Thus, Google Maps and Street View help you evaluate destinations, hotels, or coffee shops.
TV Shows And Movies
Movies are a favorite source of inspiration for 21% of travelers. Be it Julia Roberts giving serious solo travel goals in “Eat, Pray and Love,” a bunch of teenagers in “Under The Amalfi Sun” having fun in the sun-kissed Amalfi, “The Motorcycle Diaries” daring you to take a road trip through South America, or Owen Wilson taking you on nostalgic, romantic walks through the Parisian streets at night in “Midnight In Paris,” there is something about movies that ignite your wanderlust. In recent years, HBO’s TV series Game of Thrones has boosted the tourism industry of Ireland, Croatia, and Spain.
Traditional Travel Agencies Or Tour Operators
While travel booking websites and apps have made travel planning and booking easier, 17% of travelers still seek a human touch while gathering information and booking their next holiday. A tour operator plans, chooses, and organizes your vacation trip and seamlessly handles the nitty-gritty related to it, from providing you with trained staff to transporting you to your hotel and points of interest. Being a one-touch point of contact, it becomes easier for travelers to relinquish all their travel-related worries to tour operators.
Newspaper Or Magazine Articles
Print media, such as newspaper and magazine (including in-flight) articles, remain popular sources of inspiration, influencing 14% of travelers. While websites and apps lure travelers with travel bargains and flight deals, these publications inspire travel through their rich storytelling and stunning visuals on high-quality glossy paper. Instead of being instructive, these articles focus on narratives from personal experiences and are conveyed with humor and facts.
Podcasts
Travel podcasts help you explore the outdoors through aural narratives. Travel podcasts have recently gained tremendous popularity and influence 10% of global travel. By narrating travelers’ experiences and stories of popular tourist destinations or off-the-beaten-track locales and providing practical advice on budgeting, safety tips, and packing essentials, podcasts help listeners plan their trips more efficiently.