Edelweiss reveals the travel trends for 2020
The Swiss are a travel-loving people. Many are already busy making their vacation plans for the new year. But choosing the next destination isn't easy with so many options. Looking for some vacation inspiration? The leading Swiss leisure airline, Edelweiss, knows where the Swiss are headed this year and which types of travel are currently particularly popular.
"No matter where, as long as it's warm": Especially in the cooler months, the Swiss are drawn to warmer climes. Florida, the Caribbean, and destinations in the Indian Ocean remain among the most popular winter getaways in 2020. They all offer beaches, sun, and summer temperatures – all year round. It's no wonder these vacation destinations are particularly popular during the local winter season. Edelweiss Chief Commercial Officer Patrick Heymann therefore recommends: "Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic offer an ideal travel climate year-round, but are less visited in spring and fall."
Another tip is a trip to lesser-known alternative destinations, Patrick Heymann continues: "If you're looking for colorful markets and oriental culture, you can visit Agadir instead of Marrakech. Or you can book your cycling holiday in Menorca instead of Mallorca." For round trips, Patrick Heymann recommends planning the trip against the usual travel patterns: "Start your Vietnam tour, for example, in Ho Chi Minh City instead of Hanoi."
Active holidays for body and soul
Whether winter or summer, beach holidays are still popular with the Swiss. But with a healthy dose of action, please: "Our guests don't just want to relax on vacation, they also want to experience something – many of them use our free sports luggage transport to bring their surfboard, bike, or golf bag with them," says Patrick Heymann. The Swiss also like to travel to more distant countries for their active holidays. No wonder: holiday destinations like Mauritius, San Diego, and Cancún attract with ideal sports weather and golf courses overlooking the sea, while Cape Town and Florida offer a paradise for water sports enthusiasts.
Deeply relaxed and individual travel
But there are also a growing number of travel options for those seeking relaxation. Wellness trips – or so-called health holidays – are becoming increasingly popular. In the search for self-optimization and a break from stressful everyday life, the Swiss are not just treating themselves to massages in their hotels, but are also booking specialized wellbeing and recovery camps. The trend ranges from Ayurvedic trips in Sri Lanka to yoga holidays in Greece and detox trips in Thailand.
In general, the answer to vacation planning is increasingly: All-inclusive? No thanks. The Swiss like to venture out of the hotel complexes and explore the surrounding areas of their vacation destinations on their own. This is highly recommended, says Patrick Heymann: "Popular all-inclusive vacation destinations like the Dominican Republic or the Seychelles offer a variety of cultural and scenic highlights, as well as authentic experiences worth discovering." So let's get out of the hotel and into the adventure.