Comment: Travel trends and destinations to watch in 2020

With 2020 just around the corner, I’m often asked what’s the next big destination, or where’s the most unique place to travel next year. There’s plenty to get out and enjoy in all corners of the globe, and I believe Exodus has captured some of the best-loved destinations, as well as those we see rising in popularity with a number of new trips for the year ahead.

What’s new and why have these trips been chosen?

1. We’ve recently launched our Chernobyl Weekend tour. We’ve seen popularity spike since the TV adaptation of this vast nuclear disaster in 1986. As something so current and pertinent, travellers are wanting to visit the site for themselves to truly understand what happened and the aftereffects of this tragedy. We’ve included a visit to the power plant itself, reactor hall and nuclear control room which most other operators don’t offer.
2. Japan is growing in popularity, so we’ve launched a new 9-day tour taking in all of the highlights of this mesmerising country. The tour includes a stay in a traditional Japanese guesthouse in Nikko which is a great experience.
3. Combining two of Africa’s key destinations, our Namibia and Botswana: Dunes & Delta tour offers safaris in the Okavango Delta and Etosha National Park, along with a walk with bushmen in the Kalahari Desert and time to explore the sand dunes and dead trees of Sossusvlei and Deadvlei.

What is Exodus’ fastest-growing destinations?

Along with Japan and Namibia, we’re seeing growth in Jordan – a remarkable destination full of history, World Heritage Sites and amazing desert landscapes.

Kyrgyzstan is also growing in popularity with visitors drawn to the history of the Silk Road, the stunning landscapes including the jagged white spears of the celestial Tien Shan mountains; and the staggering beauty of Issyk-Kul Lake, the second-largest alpine lake on the planet.

What’s new for agents?

We’re thrilled to be releasing a bigger, better version of the trade only ‘Exodus Collection’ brochure, which will be launching at the end of September. This trade-only brochure is twice the size of last year’s first edition, and with no Exodus website or CTA every message in the brochure directs the client to speak to their local travel agent. It will include all our Discovery and Wildlife trips, a selection of favourite walking and cycling trips plus some of our best-selling family trips too.

We are also expanding our tailor-made department with a new manager, with a focus on providing outstanding quality and service to our core destinations.