1. Planet-saving suites
Guy Heywood, Chief Operating Officer of Six Senses
“Sustainability is so big right now, particularly with this youth movement that’s happening all over the world. People are conscious of the brands that they stay with and what they are doing from a sustainability point of view.”
Tip: “There are a few simple steps you can take to live a little greener when travelling. Say no to plastic straws and water bottles, hang up your towel after use so you can use it again and only take food from the buffet that you can eat. And look at how you can give back to the community when you’re there. Many hotels work with local organisations that you can help support.”
2. The rise of ‘undertourism’
Angel Llull, VP & Managing Director APAC of Booking.com
“According to our recent research, 2020 will see the rise of the second-city traveller who looks to explore lesser-known destinations in a bid to reduce over-tourism and protect the environment. Over half of global travellers want to play a part in reducing over-tourism and would swap their original destination for a lesser-known but similar alternative if they knew it’d leave less of an environmental impact.”
Tip: “Travellers looking to go off-grid on their 2020 travels should head for the mountains in Zabljak, a small town in northern Montenegro and at the centre of the Durmitor mountain region, which offers plenty of options, from skiing in winter to water sports and hiking in summer. If you’re looking to enjoy a more relaxing adventure, Ninh Binh in Vietnam offers a scenic escape just a few hours away from Hanoi.”
3. Adventurous solo female travel
Sarah Richard, founder of Girls That Scuba
“According to Google Trends, searches for ‘solo female travel’ have steadily increased over the last few years, and I think this will continue to rise as women feel more at ease with pushing themselves outside their comfort zone. At Girls That Scuba, we are seeing more women empowering themselves not only through adventure travel but by taking it to the next level with special skills such as ocean ecology, cave diving or qualifying as an instructor.”
Tip: “In 2020, some of the best dive destinations to explore include the Red Sea in Jordan and the French Polynesia, as well as Raja Ampat in Indonesia, which is known for its rich marine biodiversity.”
4. Even prettier food
Chef Eric Neo, president of the Singapore Chefs’ Association
“While chefs are always focused on presentation, they are paying even more attention to the colours in a dish thanks to the Instagram generation. According to research firm Mintel, the desire for sharing visuals on social media is the driver behind the rise in bold colours on our plates. Coloured vegetables, such as beetroot and green or orange cauliflower – which look great in photographs – are going to continue to make their mark in 2020.”
Tip: “I like beetroot because it’s full of antioxidants and can be used several different ways. You can use it in juices and if you blanch it, you can add it to salads. It adds a mild, nutty texture to dishes.”
5. Cocktails to sip all night
Howard Lo, owner of The World is Flat
“There is a rise in session cocktails, a trend that was encapsulated in a book by American writer Drew Lazor in 2018. Session cocktails are essentially low-alcohol cocktails. People want to enjoy the flavours alcohol can bring to a drink, but are more interested in taking in the ambience of the bar instead of worrying about getting too tipsy.”
Tip: “If you are looking for a tasty mocktail, Gibson Bar, located at Bukit Pasoh Road in Singapore, creates one using a combination of pear and dill, which is very refreshing.”
6. Transparency with flights
Andres Collart, CEO of Trip Ninja
“A big change for 2020 that will affect both the industry and the customer is the introduction of NDC (New Distribution Capabilities). When you book a flight with online travel agencies, you will have a clearer breakdown of the costs of each flight. You will know what you are paying for baggage, taxes or even check-in. Regular travellers will be able to access this tech through online travel agencies, as well as metasearch engines like Kayak and Skyscanner.”
Tip: “When booking multi-city flights, check if it’s cheaper to book each leg of the trip separately. It usually is about 98 per cent of the time and can save you hundreds of dollars.”
Illustrations by Josianne Dufour
To book a flight, visit singaporeair.com
SEE ALSO: Video: 6 easy travel packing tips you wish you knew earlier
A version of this article was originally published in the December 2019 issue of Silkwinds magazine
