Whether it is using twitter to bag a bargain, recognising the Caribbean could still represent good value or Turkey being touted as the most popular short haul destination, a range of leading travel experts forecast top travel trends for the year ahead.

1. Eastern Europe tipped as popular ski destination for those on a budget

“Tight holiday budgets will lead skiers and snowboarders to leapfrog traditional favourites in the Alps for better value ski resorts in Eastern Europe” says Gareth Williams who co-founded flight comparison website Skyscanner to allow him to pursue his passion for skiing.

He continues: “We’ve already seen a 130% rise in searches to Serbia for the winter season where the ski resort of Kopaonik offers good intermediate skiing for less than a third of the price of the French Alps.”

Maria Whiteman, CEO of directline-skiing.co.uk says “This region offers exceptional value versus the more popular resorts with seven nights half board accommodation starting from as little as £296.

“Bulgaria has been heralded by a few of our operators as the ski destination of 2011 with trendsetting Bansko, the premier resort, increasingly popular with international party people. Known as Bulgaria’s Whistler’ recent investment in the resort has provided it with world class facilities.Whiteman concludes:

“We also expect to see more people purchasing ‘ski plus’ packages which is a fairly new all inclusive ski concept thatincludespasses and equipment hire. These are popular as they give better visibility on total holiday spend.”

2. Latin America set to be long haul favourite

Luke Errington of newly founded Patagonian adventure travel specialist Swoop travel predicts: “The Far East has been fashionable for the last five years, but for many it has now been done and travellers are looking for their next adventure.

“We are expecting to see a paradigm shift in 2011 with Ecuador, Chile, Argentina and Brazil all coming in to their own as the information and resources supporting tourism improve. I certainly wouldn’t have started a new business in the region unless it was expected to see significant uplift”

Says Gareth Williams CEO of flight comparison site Skyscanner “Our data shows that flight searches for Chile have doubled over the last 12 months, while year on year searches to Argentina have increased by a massive 167%. We would expect the popularity of these destinations to continue well into 2011.“

3. Adventure travel growth predicted

Errington,continues “Adventure travel has been increasing in popularity for the last couple of years, as people look for exciting challenges to escape from an increasingly stressful day to day environment. Holiday makers are looking for new travel destinations, and off the beaten track experiences.”

Errington concludes “A TUI report* produced earlier this year cited that adventure travel will continue to grow in popularity over the coming years with travellers 190 per cent more likely to book an adventurous trip, 303 per cent more likely to book an environmentally-friendly holiday, and 145 per cent more likely to book a specialist holiday during the next three years.”

4. Turkey forecast as most popular short haul destination

Maria Whiteman CEO of directline holidays commented “Turkey is likely to offer a good value for 2011. A quick look on our site today reveals five star all inclusive prices from as little as £381 for seven nights in March departing from London Gatwick.

read more...