American Express: Travelers look to make up for lost time in 2023

April 20, 2023

Pop culture, food, health, and discovery are driving popularity in destinations
Tourists can’t wait to return to Hong Kong

HONG KONG, April 20, 2023 – In a recent survey of travelers, American Express found that nearly a third of respondents (30%) have four or more vacations planned this year, in an effort to make up for time lost to the pandemic.

According to the 2023 Global Travel Trends Report, released by American Express Travel ®, travelers are being influenced in their choice of destination by four key trends:

The Rise of “Set-Jetting”: Popular movies, TV shows and social media are inspiring people to travel to places they see on-screen, like Italy, Paris, and London.
Delicious Destinations: From top restaurants to local favorites, to cooking classes, people are choosing their next destination based on what they’ll eat.
A Wellness Wave: Restorative vacations are becoming more popular as travelers prioritize self-care and mental and physical health.
Traveling Off the Beaten Path: Travelers want to discover hidden gems and support the local communities they are visiting.

More than half of travelers (52%) from places like the United States, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Japan, India, and the United say they plan to take more trips this year than they did in 2022. Further, a similar number of survey respondents (50%) said they plan to spend more money on travel in 2023.

When asked about their travel priorities, 84% of Gen Z and Millennials would rather take a dream vacation than purchase a new luxury item, and 79% agree they prioritize travel when setting their budgets. Nearly one-third (29%) of respondents acknowledge that one of their motivating reasons to travel in 2023 is to make up for lost time.

Hong Kong remains a drawcard

Asia is a “preferred continent” for a quarter (24%) global travelers and it is particularly popular with Gen Z and Millennial travelers. Among respondents who want to travel to Asia, 20% said Hong Kong is on their list for 2023. The city is a popular destination for people traveling solo or with their friends. Bleisure travel, a trend combining a work trip with an extended vacation, still plays an important role for Hong Kong. Surveyed respondents said that Hong Kong remains one of their selected destinations in Asia for travel, alongside Singapore, India, Japan, Thailand and Malaysia.

Walter Liu, Head of the Asia Region for American Express says, “Our Cardmembers in Hong Kong are savvy globetrotters and explorers. As travel resumes they are already back in the air traveling during their precious vacations for unique and memorable experiences. We are seeing travelers prioritizing personalized itineraries built around their passions, from planning an entire vacation for a single dinner reservation to getting the perfect video for their social media.”

Top insights from American Express Travel’s 2023 Global Travel Trends Report include:

Pop culture and social media influence the rise of “set-jetting,” especially among younger travelers.

75% of respondents agree that they have been inspired to travel to a specific destination by social media
70% of Gen Z and Millennials surveyed agree that they have been inspired to visit a destination after seeing it featured in a TV show, news source, or movie
46% of Gen Z and Millennials surveyed say they have been inspired to travel to a destination because of Instagram

From visiting top restaurants and local favorites to taking a cooking class, food greatly impacts where people travel.

81% of respondents agree that trying local cuisines is the part of traveling they look forward to the most
66% of Gen Z and Millennials surveyed agree that they get most of their eating-while-traveling inspiration from social media
Nearly half (47%) of Gen Z and Millennials surveyed agree that they have planned an entire trip around visiting a specific restaurant

Prioritizing self-care is leading to a rise in restorative vacations.

73% of respondents agree that they are planning vacations to better their mental, physical, and emotional health this year
60% of Gen Z and Millennials surveyed say they go out of their way to book hotels that offer spa and wellness services

Travelers want to discover hidden gems and support the local communities they visit.

85% of respondents want to visit a place where they can truly experience the local culture
78% of respondents are interested in going on vacations that support local communities in 2023

Cardmembers can book future trips through American Express Travel Online , where they can enjoy exceptional convenience at their fingertips, and eligible Cardmembers can even get a special redemption rate of 150 Membership Rewards® points: HK$1 to offset the full or partial payment on American Express Travel Online.[1]

The full American Express Travel 2023 Global Travel Trends Report can be viewed here.

[1] For details and Terms and Conditions, please visit bit.ly/3GyDo4Z.


American Express Global Travel Trends Report said Restorative vacations are on the rise as travelers prioritize self-care and mental and physical health.	Popular movies, TV shows and social media are inspiring people to travel to places they see onscreen, like Italy, Paris, and London.

From top restaurants to local favorites to cooking classes, people are choosing their next destination based on what they’ll eat.	Travelers want to discover hidden gems and support the local community when they visit.

About American Express

American Express is a globally integrated payments company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com/hk and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpresshongkong, instagram.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

Key links to products, services and corporate responsibility information: charge and credit cards, business and corporate cards, travel cheques, merchant services, business travel, insurance, diversity and inclusion, corporate sustainability and Environmental, Social, and Governance reports.

Methodology:

The American Express 2023 Global Travel Trends Report is based on data obtained through an online poll conducted by Morning Consult between February 3rd – 11th, 2023 among a sample of 1,000 travelers from Australia, Canada, India, Japan, Mexico, UK and 2,000 travelers in the US who have a household income of at least a US$70k equivalent, and who typically travel by air at least once a year. Results from each market survey have a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.

Generations are defined as those born in the following years: Generation Z – 1997-2012, Millennials – 1981-1996, generation X – 1965-1980, and baby boomers – 1946-1964.

CONTACTS:

AMERICAN EXPRESS

Priscilla Ching

+852-2811-6327

priscilla.ching@aexp.com

Eric Chan

+852-2811-6107

eric.chan1@aexp.com

OGILVY PUBLIC RELATIONS

Leanne Pok

+852 9379 9694

leanne.pok@ogilvy.com