Some possible travel trends to blog about via Longwoods International, on a slide during the IITA (International Inbound Travel Association) annual conference in San Diego, California. Photo by Sheila Scarborough.

Tourism Currents, experts on social media for tourism, wrote about 5 travel trends to blog about right now, and there’s a lot for rural communities to latch onto there.

1) Wellness Travel

Sheila says, “where people can go to relax, detox, relieve stress, get a massage and spa treatments, eat healthy food, be more mindful, get some exercise, etc.”

You can promote your clean air and water, and even your small town slow pace of life is part of wellness.

2) Sustainable, Eco-Friendly Travel

Some of the keyword trends include:

• Greener, more local getaways
• Environmentally-friendly travel ideas
• Eco-friendly, eco-conscious vacations

3) Multigenerational and Family Travel

Sheila said there has been a spike in searches for “where to plan a family reunion.” This is a great chance to feature how safe your town is for kids, how many activities are open to everyone in the family.

A rural cabin rented via HipCamp. Photo CC by Myles Tan

4) An Appreciation for Nature & The Outdoors

“Smaller towns, rural areas, scenic byways – they all have an advantage right now, in that travelers still very much want the natural beauty they can offer,” Sheila said.

Hello, nature! See our pair of articles on Harvest Host, Boondockers Welcome and also HipCamp.

5) Unique, Local Experiences

Sheila said travelers want to “Learn about and support local culture. Do something hands-on, like a cooking or craft class, that teaches you about that local culture.”

Look to your local artists, crafters, musicians, makers and other fun creatives. Do they offer short term or one-day classes? Are there longer retreats in your area? All these are smart things to share about your community.

Is this just a fad? No.

“There has been a big uprise in traveling to smaller towns that have some quirky and regional appeal,” said Arabella Bowen, executive editorial director of Fodor’s Travel. “There is a want for a local, authentic, mom-and-pop experience.”

That’s from 2013. And it could just as well be from 2023.

All the themes from 2013’s Changing travel motivations favor small towns are still true. People want to explore, visit local artists, and get off the beaten path.

Make your “What to do in…” Pinterest Board today!

What to do: action steps

Of course blog about any of these topics, as Sheila suggests.

Share anything from your town that fits into these trends on your social channels.

Promote these destinations on your “What to do in [town]” Pinterest board. We’ve said it before, but this is still a great tip!

Play up your quirky businesses, mention your local characters, and share the things that some folks find embarrassing but that make your town unique.

Full disclosure: I helped co-found Tourism Currents along with Sheila Scarborough.

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Bike tourists. Photo by Baker County Tourism

Have you got a “coming soon” biking trail? Or a biking trail that is not completely finished yet? Well, don’t keep it a secret!

A couple of places I’ve visited lately, I’ve heard about trails that are in the partially-finished stage. Some segments of the trail have been improved, others are still rough.

“Once the trail is finished,” people say, “we’ll promote it.” 

“When it’s done, we’ll see a lot more visitors.” 

But why are you waiting? If people can ride or bike on even part of t now legally, then it’s ready enough to tell the world. Even if there are parts that are unimproved.

Not all bike riders are looking for perfectly smooth easy rides. There are plenty of riders out there who are thrilled by a challenging ride. You could be attracting all kinds of riders now, matching them up to the kinds of rides they can expect to find.

People who start coming to enjoy your trail now will feel like they’re discovering something new, a hidden gem. They’ll have a sense of investment as they come back year after year and see improvements. They’ll talk about you to other riders, gaining some status from being in the know.

Start talking about your not-quite-finished trail as an “emerging” trail. One that’s partly ready now and steadily improving.

Put it on trail listings and online maps as “partly improved.” (Just search your state name and “bike trails” or ask bikers where to list it.) Clearly mark which parts are improved and which aren’t. Be scrupulously honest about current conditions, so people know which segments are right for them. 

Bonus points: Include a link in your new listing for the donation page where people can help fund improvements.

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