Travel Megatrends 2020: The Future of Travel Will Be Driven by Urban Living Innovations

This Megatrend is brought to you in partnership with Accor. As travelers both seek experiences that reflect the unique characteristics of the places they visit and desire the comforts of home while abroad, cities making the strongest and smartest investments in new models and concepts of urban living have become more attractive destinations. As city life changes, so too does the experience of visitors who contribute to the local economy and, increasingly, look for modern conveniences during a trip. Travelers want an experience curated for their particular needs and not the one-size-fits-all attitude of the big-box hotel or generic shopping district. With the professionalization of short-term rentals and the popularization of co-working spaces, the desirability of an urban travel destination is often tied directly to quality of life and convenience for visitors. The United Nations projects that 68 percent of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050. Destinations are making investments and design choices today that will determine their competitiveness for both vacationers and business travelers deep into the future, whether it’s using robotics for interiors to optimize tight-living spaces — think hidden closets and moving beds — or c