(Thursday 10 October) Here are this week’s hottest travel trends:

Europe named top long-haul destination for Southeast Asian travellers

Europe is the most aspirational long-haul destination for Southeast Asian travellers, according to research from the European Travel Commission. While traditional destinations like the UK and Italy remain hotspots, the fastest future growth will be to new destinations, especially in Central and Eastern Europe, with the key driver being affordability. Among repeat visitors, demand will grow for experiences in smaller towns and in the countryside.

Another year of growth for Blackpool’s tourism economy

Blackpool’s tourism economy has grown for the fourth consecutive year. The latest Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor (STEAM) research shows that in 2018 the total number of visitors grew by almost 200,000 to 18.2 million — with increases in both day and staying visitors. The value of Blackpool’s tourism industry also increased by 4% to £1.58bn, meaning the resort accounts for more than 40% of Lancashire’s total visitor economy.

What’s trending in travel for 2020

Scott Dunn has shared its travel predictions for the new year. The tour operator highlights a rise in families seeking far-flung experiential trips and in cruisers looking to engage with local communities on their voyages, as well as a growing desire to maximise holiday time with multi-destination wildlife trips. Emerging trends also include an increasing demand for boundary-pushing wellness practices.