Travel trends 2009

If you want to keep your finger on the travel pulse check out our predictions for 2009's top trends and destinations.

1. Philadelphia

The city may be mockingly known as New York's ‘Sixth Borough', being just over an hour's train ride away, but Philadelphia is stepping out of the Big Apple's shadows and is well worth a visit in its own right.

Philadelphia's most important sights are preserved in Downtown's picturesque Independence National Historical Park, including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, and the Constitution Center, honouring the US Constitution.

Besides its iconic historical sights, Philly also has a vibrant arts scene and is a city bursting with energy and ideas, with a renowned orchestra, world-class museums and some fantastic restaurants. The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is the city's crown jewel, though Philadelphia is also home to art-house cinemas, forward-leaning galleries and traditional and avant-garde theatre.

For more information see our city guide to Philadelphia.

2. Belgrade

Belgrade was given a massive tourism boost in 2008 when it became the host for the 53rd Eurovision Song Contest and is due to attract even more visitors in the year ahead.

Situated in Serbia at the confluence of the rivers Sava and Danube, the city of Belgrade is perched between Eastern Europe and Russia on one side and Western Europe on the other. And with a chequered past of rulers, occupiers, empires and conquerors with their many influences, a unique culture has been created that is both Eastern and Western in character and outlook.

Modern-day Serbia is working hard to put the legacy of former president Slobodan Milošević behind it, and Belgrade is earning itself a reputation as a city that knows how to have fun. But what really distinguishes this great city is the warmth and generosity of its people who are keen to prove to the world that they're a friendly lot who welcome visitors with open arms, warm smiles and a glass or two of the local rakija (brandy).

There is a real vibrancy and energy amongst the people, both young and old, and Belgrade is a 24-hour city that feels safe no matter what time of the day or night it is. Belgraders take their pleasure seriously, with a seemingly insatiable appetite for coffee, cigarettes, good food and socialising - a fact testified by the sheer number and variety of cafes, bars, restaurants and nightclubs in the city.

For more information see our city guide to Belgrade.

3. The Corn Islands, Nicaragua

The Corn Islands offer a taste of the Caribbean as it was before many of its islands became over-developed and expensive. The two isles of Little Corn Island and Big Corn Island, off the coast of Nicaragua, make an ideal destination to soak up the laid-back atmosphere and discover paradise at its most natural.

The coast is littered with shipwrecks from explorers, pirates and buccaneers of yesteryear. These, together with the abundance of marine life and coral reefs, make it an excellent destination for scuba-divers. The interior offers other eco-tourism adventures amid the thick vegetation of the subtropical forests.

The tourist trade is still in its infancy, so you can get a basic room for less than $10 a night in family run accommodation. Although still only visited by those in the know, accessibility is good with several daily flights between Big Corn Island and Managua, Nicaragua's capital. Alternatively, Big Corn Island can be reached by taking the ferry that departs once a week from El Rama, a small port town on the Escondido River.

The Corn islands may be far off the travel grid, but the pay-off is solitude, scenery and some of the best fishing, diving and snorkeling in the Caribbean, at bargain prices.

For more information see our guide to the Corn Islands.

4. Budoni, Sardinia

If the remoteness of the Corn Islands doesn't appeal but you still want the crystal clear waters and golden beaches head to Budoni in Sardinia instead. The town is made up of a main street, from which a number of narrow lanes lead Eastwards to Cala Budoni, the town's main beach.

Further out of the town travellers can stroll through a dense pine wood that provides a habitat for numerous species of animals, including a great variety of birds, the most famous of which is the flamingo.

5. Ecuador

The Ecuadorian government is aiming to turn Ecuador into one of the five best destinations of the American continent. It seems it is achieving its goal as 2009 is set to be a great year for Ecuador as it celebrates the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth and 150 years of his Theory of Evolution, which was "mainly inspired by what he saw in our Galpagos islands," explains the Ecuador's Minister of Tourism, Mrs Veronica Sion de Josse.

For more information see our country guide to Ecuador.

6. Hospitality tourism

Along with the urge to save money, hospitality tourism is spreading like wild fire across Europe. For those who have never heard of the concept, it includes home-stays and exchanges, couch surfing and hospitality clubs.

In fact, websites such as www.couchsurfing.com and www.hospitalityclub.org have taken off over the past two years as travellers look for free accommodation and the chance of more authentic cultural experiences that are often missed when staying in a standard hotel.

7. Eco trekking in the Nam Ha national park, Laos

Most people come to Laos and make a brief tour of Vientiane and UNESCO World Heritage-listed Luang Prabang with perhaps a brief detour to the mysterious Plain of Jars. But those who make the effort to explore further afield will be well rewarded with luscious landscapes, friendly people and unique glimpses of a country hardly changed for over a century.

The Nam Ha National Protected Area is one such underrated gem. With around 30 ethnic groups, mountains, waterfalls and plateaux the landscape is ideal for trekking and the whole park is protected by an eco tourism policy of keeping groups small to aid preservation.

For more information see our country guide to Laos.

8. Yemen

Yemen is quickly establishing itself as a great tourist destination, attracting travellers with its striking scenery and spectacular Islamic and pre-Islamic architecture. Yemen boasts hugely varied landscapes, from magnificent mountains to lush fruit-growing valleys to semi-arid plains and wide sandy beaches. The towns and cities hide souks and spice markets, mosques and ancient city walls.

The country is home to numerous significant archaeological sites, while adventure travellers can enjoy camping and trekking in the unique Socotra archipelago, which counts over 270 endemic species among its enormous range of wildlife and plant life.

For more information see our country guide to Yemen.

9. India

India is fast becoming a popular choice for those wanting more bang for their buck, and as it emerges as a new tourism superpower it will be head of the agenda for many tour operators.

India is a mystical land that presents the traveller with a bamboozling array of unforgettable experiences. Its intoxicatingly rich history has spawned an incredible number of exquisite palaces, temples and monuments. The most frequently visited part of India is the Golden Triangle, comprised of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. Meanwhile, the people-packed cities of Mumbai (Bombay) and Kolkata (Calcutta) have a bustling, colourful charm, while the holy city of Varanasi and the awe-inspiring temples of Tamil Nadu are rewarding places of pilgrimage.

For those in search of tropical bliss, there are the palm-fringed beaches of Goa and Kerala. And for fresh air and serenity, India ripples with pristine mountains and hills, from the towering beauty of the mighty Himalayas to a bevy of beautiful pine forests, orchards and babbling streams.                                                               

For more information see our country guide to India.

10. Musandam Peninsula, Oman

Although the UAE has been luring the cash rich and luxury hungry to its exuberant hotels and shopping malls for many years, those looking for a taste of true Arabia and some stunning scenery will be heading to the stunning Musandam Peninsula in Oman.

Jutting into the Strait of Hormuz towards Iran and bisected from the rest of Oman by the UAE, the Musandam Peninsula has been described as the ‘Norway of the Middle East' for its numerous dramatic fjords. With the Hajar Mountains looming all around, the only way to access the inner sanctum of the waterways, where turtles and dolphins are a common sight, is by boat. The best way to experience Musandam is by heading out on a cruise on a dhow (traditional wooden boat), which can be booked through a local tour operator or with the accommodating fishermen in Khasab.

Author: Caroline Cullern

20 January 2009

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