Such was the sentiment when the Silk Road expedition team entered Pakistan through the world’s highest mountain pass after nearly a month-long stay in China. “It’s as though the road is a one-way street from China; there is no way back,” says K.M. Ali, making a jibe at China’s strict security conduct and treatment of Pakistanis in contrast to Pakistan’s increasing obsession with the Silk Road’s revival — the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Entering Pakistan, the southern arm of the ancient Silk Road is a consistent reminder that the CPEC is changing life along its path as it is being built, he adds. With travel signboards being translated into Mandarin, starting from the checkpost at Sust and huge billboards along the highway that read “Long Live Pak-China Friendship”, one cannot escape the impact of the CPEC at this side of the border.

In the concluding episode of the series about traversing the historic Silk Route, the group of explorers finally enter the Pakistan side

Along the Karakoram Highway (KKH), trucks and tractors loaded to the brim with hay and construction material are a frequent sight, boasting the rapid development in the region.

A view of the mountains on a full moon night in Passu

“The northern region is a visual juxtaposition of nature and nurture in its present state,” Mohammad Khan recalls the imagery. “On the one hand, the KKH has newly-built long tunnels and on the other hand, there is the visually-soothing Attabad Lake which was formed when a major landslide blocked the Hunza River and submerged the highway, blocking the road link between China and Pakistan.”

The sight is a beautiful contrast of colour, with a nearly razor-sharp line delineating the two water colours of the Hunza River and Attabad Lake. “But, intersecting the view is a series of five tunnels built by the Chinese to restore the road link. The tunnels have significantly reduced the expense and travel time by boats on the lake,” Khan adds, recalling a candid conversation with Hafeezullah Sher, a local from Wakhan.

The world’s highest ATM on the Pakistan side, installed by the National Bank of Pakistan. You can tell that it was built by the Chinese because of the Chinese features on the structure, which appear on both sides

“Sher could now come and conveniently visit his parents. He also shared that the prices of goods such as medicines, salt and clothes had dropped significantly since the tunnels were built. Now they could again export dried khoobani (apricot) and shehtoot (mulberry) easily.”

Entering Pakistan, the southern arm of the ancient Silk Road is a consistent reminder that the CPEC is changing life along its path as it is being built.

The southern arm of the Silk Route is a scattered terrain with diverse typography. “All along the route we could see numerous waterfalls — some falling right on the road. Near Dasu, there was a hot water spring!” says Lubna Khan. “Our first night stop in Pakistan was in Passu. The skies were clear with glittering stars and then slowly the moon appeared and illuminated the mountains all around us. The diversity of mountains is unbelievable,” she muses.

Onwards to Gilgit-Baltistan, the group observed intense dam construction activity near Diamer-Bhasha Dam site and some pilot activity at the Dasu Dam site. “The KKH is in a poor state in that area and is planned to be moved up the mountain ridge,” Ali points out. “Irfan Husain, a driver enroute to the Gilgit area complained sorely over a cup of tea about the condition of the road which had resulted in a breakdown of his truck.”

A sign of The Old Silk Road

However, the locals are apparently delighted, he adds, as they are getting construction jobs and other opportunities.

As the group traversed southwards, they stopped at a brick kiln near Dera Ghazi Khan where a local expressed tremendous hope in the CPEC project. “He bought a new 110cc motorcycle to be able to go and visit the CPEC construction sites to collect payments,” Yasmin Ali shares the man’s story. “He was delivering red-clay bricks for lining the sides of the CPEC motorway. When asked if he intended to learn Chinese, he laughed and said, “We sometimes see the Chinese, but our dealings are with just the Pakistani contractor.” However, his son Iqbal chimed in “sometimes Chinese people come to our school.’”

The family revealed that the school had started elementary Chinese language classes. “Iqbal’s face lit up when we said ‘Nee hao’ [hello] and he promptly responded!” Lubna laughs.

The Silk Road expedition team at Passu

Pakistan’s wildlife

“We were not expecting to find a wide array of wildlife along the KKH. We saw Himalayan Golden Marmots — which are large squirrels weighing about eight to nine kilogrammes and about 50 centimetres tall — foraging on patches of grass and absorbing the sun,” Mehvash Ali tells Eos. “There were numerous sightings of Markhors and even a glimpse of four Himalayan ibexes as they were leaping down to approach the fast-flowing Hunza River — certainly an experience that is seen in documentaries only.”

“Did you know, there is also a wildlife conservancy along the Silk Route before Sust?” Imran Chaudhry asks. They charge a nominal fee for all travellers and use that amount to prevent unlicensed hunting. “In fact, at one time they had a snow leopard cub in captivity till activists persuaded the wildlife body to release it,” he says in amazement

THE JIM Thompson Farm in Nakhon Ratchasima is back among the country’s top winter attractions with its annual eco-cultural tours and fun family activities, continuing through January 7.

The flowers are in bloom and the fields are teeming with ripe organic fruit and vegetables, affording picturesque natural settings for photos, games and leisurely strolls.

The theme this year is Ter Toen Wen Wang, which means “Rushing Water – the Life Force of Isaan”, showcasing water’s vital roles as a natural resource and a core component of northeastern traditions and beliefs.

The waterdrop pumpkin patch sits in a sea of multicoloured flowers. 

“The farm tours started in 1999 and ever since it’s been an annual challenge to come up with different ideas for every year,” says Chutima Dumsuwan, who’s in charge of communications for the Jim Thompson company.

“Ecotourism is booming around the country, and we always look for a unique theme capitalising on that success. Five years ago the theme was Sudsanan Dan Isaan, which featured a ‘mor lam bus’ that travelled around Isaan, and in the future that’s going to be developed as a mor lam museum.

“This year it’s water that provides the inspiration, because it’s so closely linked to every aspect of Isaan life,” Chutima says. “We even look at the folk legend of how the Mekong River was formed.”

The 700-rai farm boasts rice paddies, an imitation Isaan village, a handicrafts market and wide expanses of blossoming flowers – the pink cosmos and yellow sunflowers are perennial favourites. Right at the entrance is a bamboo walkway built to mimic the winding Mekong as it flows into an Isaan wonderland.

On arriving at the farm, a walkway makes you think you’re entering Isaan along the Mekong River.

The pumpkin patch, a magnet for youngsters, is set out like a huge water droplet surrounded by a sea of white and red English roses, spiny spider flowers, blue salvias, petunias and orange cosmos. This has to be the most photogenic spot on the farm.

New this year is the playground of Sa Lue Kue, a titan of Isaan lore, and Jung Kung Dung Dang, a huntsman, both of whom were present at the creation of the Mekong River and the Kaeng Khut Khu islets in Loei.

Kids pack the area, bursting with glee, as they climb across a huge metal framework and spin on rides built by hand in the form of fishing equipment. An observation tower is shaped like a traditional bamboo water jar.

“Lots of outsiders think of Isaan as being all dry, barren land, but in fact it’s full of wetlands,” says Yoothapong Martvisiet, the farm’s “Isaan cultural adviser”.

“Ancient drawings of giant Mekong catfish on the cliffs in Pha Taem Nation Park prove that the region was abundant with fish 3,000 years ago. So, with this year’s water theme, we’re educating people by having some fun with the old-time folk tales.

“One legend has it that the Mekong is the flooded pathway used by Sa Lue Kue the titan,

and Jung Kung Dung Dang the huntsman lay down and died in the river, his body forming the islets known as Kaeng Khut Khu.”

A playground has sprung from the legend of Sa Lue Kue the titan and Jung Kung Dung Dang the huntsman.

A water fountain powers a castle fashioned from translucent materials. Fields of organic rice and vegetables encroach on Isaan Village, where contemporary artworks are displayed.

“Water is at the heart of life in this region, and particularly of agriculture,” says architect Phahonchai Premjai, another adviser at the farm. “We’ve borrowed ideas from the royal initiatives of His Majesty King Bhumibol in drawing water from the air, as in the giant bamboo jar filling up with dew and the floating garden of lemons and mangoes.”

Artist Intanong Chinnawong illustrates local fishing practices in the intriguing bamboo installation “Luang Pla” (“Fish Decoy”), which he built using various traditional fishing implements. It doesn’t catch fish, but it certainly lures the photographers.

“I first collaborated with Jim Thompson in 2012 on ‘Sud Wiang’, a likeness of a fisherman casting his net,” says Intanong. “This time my parents, who are good with bamboo crafts, helped me create this rather complicated bamboo dome.”

An artwork by Intanong Chinnawong pays tribute to the ways people in the Northeast catch fish.

Another artist, Tanupon En-on, has rendered 77 “rockets” – actually cartoonish Naga reptile dolls suspended vertically – from discarded pha khao ma, in a nod to the eerie phenomenon of the Naga fireballs.

“We’ve made the pha khao ma remnants more durable and waterproof,” he says. “The designs come from traditional Isaan murals.”

Artist Navin Rawanchaikul, who had a memorable role in last year’s winter festival with his “Lost on the Farm” exhibition, is back with comic-book-style illustrations tracing the history of Korat’s Pak Thong Chai district and the way Jim Thompson’s company became Thailand’s leading textile manufacturer and retailer.

Tanupon Enon celebrates the Naga fireballs with an installation of colourful fabric rockets.

In Isaan Village, rice is set out in offerings to a sacred wooden Buddha stature more than 100 years old. Workshops are held showing visitors how to dye cloth naturally with indigo and how silkworms are raised and their silk woven. There’s a food street where you can sample authentic Korat delicacies and sweets.

Weary visitors will surely welcome another new addition this year – an enjoyable boat ride to the Jim Thompson Market, where they sell silk apparel, accessories, home furnishings and agricultural products.

THE TOP RURAL GETAWAY

>> The Jim Thompson Farm Tours continue through January 7, daily from 9am to 5pm.

>> Admission on weekdays is Bt180 (Bt130 for children), on weekends Bt220 (children Bt160) and during the New Year holidays Bt240 (children Bt180).

>> Find out more at (02) 762 2566, http://www.JimThompsonFarm.com and the “Jim Thompson Farm” page on Facebook.

The Royal Agricultural Station Ang Khang is located in Fang district and is spread over some 2,000 rai. Within the station compound are nine villages inhabited by four different minority groups – Thai Yai, Black Lahu, Palong and Chinese Yunnanese.

The station is designed for conducting experiments on possible temperate plants to be grown in Thailand as cash substitutes for opium poppy. In 1969, His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej gave his private funds to establish the Royal Project Foundation under the directorship of HSH Bhisadej Rajani as the Chairman of Royal Project. The station mainly researches the temperate fruit, exotic flowers and vegetables that can be cultivated to provide a sustainable form of income for the hilltribes.

Today, almost 50 years on, the valley is a thriving tourist attraction, replete with beautiful gardens and fruit orchards. The project produces a wide variety of temperate fruits including Chinese peaches, Chinese pears, persimmon, plums, grapes, apricots, strawberries, passion fruit, figs, kiwi fruit and pomegranates.

Huai Hong Khrai Royal Development Study Centre is located in Doi Saket District and was established in 1982 under King Bhumibol’s initiative and driven largely as a result of drought and forest fires caused by extensive forest destruction and poaching. The centre is located in the Pa Khun Mae Kuang National Park, a mountainous and forested region that is heavily degraded where the study centre is located. Studies at the centre encompass watershed development as an appropriate model with forest areas designated for planting three types of forest with four applications: economic crops, fruit trees and firewood, soil conservation and watershed area to engender moisture and recover the degraded area.

The beautiful village of Mae Kampong in Mae On district has long been a source of enjoyment and inspiration to not only the locals that happily reside there, but also to fortunate visitors from around the world. Located just a short distance from the city of Chiang Mai – visitors to Mae Kampong will instantly feel they have stepped back in time, with traditional teak houses dotting the nearby mountains.

The contributions are Bt19,500 for members and Bt20,500 for non-members and cover hotel for two nights, two breakfasts, three lunches, one dinner, returns airfares between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Book a place by calling (02) 661 6470-3 extensions 504 or 506 or email supanut@siam-society.org.

There can be no better time to explore Busan than the autumn when the seasonal chill and bright sunshine turn the trees into a glorious palette of red, yellow and orange. For the Thai visitor, whose experience of changing seasons tends to get stuck on wet to dry and hot to hotter, the visual onslaught is amazing, drawing to mind the landscape paintings so loved by Western artists and the words of the English poet John Keats.

“Busan was selected by The New York Times as one of 52 destinations to visit in 2017 and ranked fifth on the list of the biggest and busiest ports in the world,” says Shim Jeong-Bo, president of Busan Tourism Organisation, of South Korea’s large port city, which is known for its beaches, mountains and temples.

“It was to here that the Korean fled during the Korean war. Today, it is a centre for food and culture, a place that gathers together the traditions of all regions. The government is working hard to attract tourists to visit this city. According to a survey conducted by Booking.com, Busan is one of 10 most interesting food places in Asia. And it boasts a convenient transportation system that allows visitors to get around easily. It is also film location of choice, with some 50 per cent of all Korean series shot here, and hosts the annual Busan International Film Festival, the One Asia Festival and the Busan Fireworks Festival,” he continues.

“And the campaign appears to be paying off. Between January to August in 2017, we welcomed 2.2 million more tourists compared with the same period last year. Unfortunately, the number of Chinese tourists decreased by 50 per cent as a result of political conflicts,” Shim Jeong-Bo adds.

Led by Hong Ji Hee, chief executive of Korea Thailand Communication Centre, our motley group of tourism writers stops first at Tongyeong, a port city on Korea’s scenic southern coast, where we board the Hallyeo cable car to the top of Mireuksan Mountain. It is early in the day and while the leaves are already russet, they have yet to be lit up by the sun and reveal their full autumn glory. Nevertheless, the view from the peak is magnificent and we can clearly see below us the former command post of the Korean naval forces during the Imjin War when the country tried to fend off two Japanese invasions between 1592 and 1598. Today, all that remains is Sebyeonggwan Hall, which was built in 1603 and has managed to survive the ravages of time. Tsushima Island in Japan is only 80 kilometres from here.

After our tour of Tongyeong, we head back to Busan proper and gaze in appreciation at the dramatic landscape of Geumjeongsan Mountain where the red leaves glow vividly against the pale blue sky. Geumjeongsan has historically been considered as a mountain conducive to the defence of the country and is home to Beomeosa, a famous historical temple believed to defend and protect the country alongside Geumjeongsanseong Fortress, the nation’s largest fortress during The Three Kingdoms period. The temple is still just as beautiful, particularly in spring, when the wisteria is in full bloom. In front of us is Daeungjeon, the main temple hall, considered to be one of the finest examples of Joseon-era architecture.

Geumjeongsan Mountain is also reputed for having one of the best hiking trails in South Korea but our itinerary is too tight to allow us to check it out and we instead move on to Clayarch Gimhae Museum. Designed to play a leading role in the development of architectural ceramics, it boasts more than 5,000 painted tiles on the exterior of the circular wall, which are collectively known as “Fired Painting”. Designed by Shin Sang-Ho, the structure allows for changes in the display of patterns and colour to give off different effects. This artwork depicts the museum’s philosophy of valuing the environment, practicality and artistic development.

“Gimhae is a major centre of ceramic culture, and can trace its history all the way back to the kingdom of Gaya and the early Joseon period through buncheong plates and tea vessels bearing the inscription ‘Gimhae’. This museum is outstanding and has become a popular backdrop for many Korean series,” says manager Kim Jinho.

We also visit Gamcheon, a cultural village with a pastel village landscape. It is known for its steep streets, twisting alleys, and brightly painted houses that offer great photo opportunities.

Our day ends with a ride on the four-wheel rail bike along with three-kilometre bridge crossing the Nakdonggang River inside Gimhae Nakdonggang Rail Park, after which we take a short walk to the nearby wine cave, an excellent dating spot with its romantic lights and sculptures. Raspberry wine is its signature beverage and we certainly don’t turn down the invitation to have a sip.

It’s delicious!

– The writer travelled to Busan as a guest of the Korea Thailand Communication Centre.

Featuring those adorable Minions as the main characters, the14 items on the cafe’s menu have been conceptualised and inspired by Illumination and Universal’s hit movie “Despicable Me 3”.

Operated by Parco Co (Japan), the pop-up Minions Cafe operated as the “The Despicable Me 3 Cafe” in Japan at Guest cafe&diner outlets in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo and Fukuoka from July to September. Guest cafe&diner routinely changes its concepts every two to three months through a pop-up cafe model. The theme of the pop-up cafes is based on popular characters, artists, movies and culture. The concept of dining with their favourite characters is always a popular draw, with new themes becoming hot topics in Japan whenever introduced.

Exclusive goods can be purchased alongside other Despicable Me 3 official merchandise. Diners can own unique movie merchandise to complete the experience. Illumination and Universal’s “Despicable Me 3” Blu-ray and DVD is also out in stores now.

Illumination, who brought moviegoers the Minions, continues the story of Gru, Lucy, their adorable daughters—Margo, Edith and Agnes.

With successful mobile games, consumer products and social/digital media, Illumination’s franchises– populated with characters that are as comedic as they are heartfelt and authentic – translate far beyond the theatre. “Despicable Me: Minion Rush” has now become the fifth-most popular game ever, while Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem, at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood, has newly been joined by the wildly popular Minion Park at Universal Studios Japan where the Minions are the No. 1 licensed characters.

Illumination’s upcoming films – featuring creative contributors from an unparalleled collection of writers, artists, voice talent and musicians – include Dr. Seuss’ “The Grinch” in November, “The Secret Life of Pets 2 in May” 2019, Minions 2 in June 2020, and “Sing 2” in December 2020.

Running from December 8 to 31, the Marina Bay and the Civic District will host the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2018 featuring an astonishing carnival rides and games, a charity trail, outdoor activities, crowd-favourite light projections and fireworks.

Set against the backdrop of the city skyline, the Prudential Marina Bay Carnival will offer more than 40 rides and games assembled from different parts of the world. From exciting roller coasters to water rides for thrill-seekers, the carnival will also cater family entertainment starting from 4pm daily.

On New Year’s Eve, the Float @ Marina Bay will be transformed into another activity hub to provide a front-row fireworks viewing experience. Visitors can shop for food and beverage as well as lifestyle products at an outdoor bazaar or enjoy a picnic while awaiting the midnight fireworks. Tickets are priced at $5.50 and can be purchased on the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown website from today.

The countdown activities on New Year’s Eve will extend beyond Marina Bay to the adjacent Civic District. The Civic District provides a car-free zone, forming a larger celebration area to enable more people to join in the festivities and collectively usher in the New Year.

Resorts World Sentosa kicks into high gear on New Year’s Eve with Dance in the Park Countdown to 2018 at Universal Studios Singapore. The performances will have you dancing until dawn, while selected rides will be running all night too.

The iconic Siloso Beach Party is celebrating its 11 years of adrenaline-pumping music, fireworks and endless thrills. Headlined by international and local DJs, this 12-hour marathon party promises a night of non-stop fun on New Year’s Eve until the dawn of 2018.

Orchard Road is spectacularly lit up to ramp up the festive mood. Shopping malls are bedecked with flickering fairy lights, twinkling trees and elaborate decorations, with street performances and festive bazaars galore under the theme of “Endless Wonder”.

Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza, plays host to the Endless Wonder Christmas Village where beautifully decorated booths manned by 25 brands offer food and fashion products.

The lush Gardens by the Bay is converted into the Christmas Wonderland from tomorrow (December 1) to December 26. Adorned with a giant Christmas Tree and sculptures of light throughout the fairground, it offers an array of activities such as fun family-friendly acrobatic performances by Circus Abyssinia Present Ethiopian Dreams, skating under the stars, carnival games and more.

Find out more details at http://www.STB.gov.sg or http://www.VisitSingapore.com.

Looking for inspiration for 2018 travel? Facilitating reservations for more than 1.5 million room nights each day, the experts at the leading travel website Booking.com have combined customer insights from over 128 million real guest reviews with research from 19,000 travellers across 26 countries around the world to reveal the biggest travel predictions for 2018.

Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of adults who have taken a trip in the last 12 months/plan to take a trip in the next 12 months surveyed 18,509 respondents from the UK, US, Brazil, China, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, India, Singapore and Russia plus smaller numbers from Australia, Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Hong Kong, Croatia, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Thailand and Taiwan. Respondents completed an online survey last August.

Here are eight travel predictions for the year 2018;

New tech frontiers

Immersive experiences will reach the next level in 2018, with travellers looking to technology to help better understand a destination or accommodation before they book. Artificial intelligence and digital technology are helping consumers turn the corner when it comes to smart destination intuition, reshaping the way we research, book and experience travel. Almost a third (29 per cent) of global travellers say they are comfortable letting a computer plan an upcoming trip based on data from their previous travel history. Over six in 10 (64 per cent) of travellers say they would like to “try before they buy” with a virtual reality preview. Taking all the hard work and stress out of decision making, in 2018 technology will continue to guide us seamlessly to find the best stays and experiences for us.

From dream to reality

The year 2018 is the year to dream big as 45 per cent of travellers have a travel bucket list in mind and the majority of those (82 per cent) will aim to tick one or more destinations off their list in the coming year. The yearning for experiences over material possessions continues and drives our desire for more incredible and memorable trips.

Most likely to feature on a bucket list is seeing one of the wonders of the world, as almost half of travellers (47 per cent) will look to tick this off in 2018. Over a third (35 per cent) yearn to tantalise their taste buds by trying a local delicacy, 34 per cent want to head to an island paradise and 34 per cent are thrill seekers wanting to visit a world-famous theme park.

Retro reboot

As well as new experiences, travellers will be revisiting their favourite childhood memories as part of their trips in 2018. Blending the future with the past, next year’s travellers will be inspired to return to previously loved destinations and explore them in a whole new way. A third of travellers (34 per cent) will consider a holiday they experienced as a child for 2018.

These popularity of these vintage vacations stems from the feelings of nostalgia and happiness the destinations evoke. Travellers say that former family holidays recall the fondest memories, even more so than childhood sweethearts or family pets.

Pop culture pilgrimage

In 2018, television shows, films, sport and social media in particular look set to have an increasingly significant sway over booking decisions, as travellers turn to pop culture for their travel inspiration. Reading blogs or watching YouTuber recommendations will spark ideas for four in ten (39 per cent) travellers and on screen locations from television, film or music videos will win over 36 per cent of travellers in the coming year.

The top television programme locations travellers most want to visit in 2018 are Croatia, Spain and Iceland inspired by “Game of Thrones” (29 per cent), London as seen in “Sherlock” and “The Crown” (21 per cent and 13 per cent), New York and Manhattan from “Billions” (13 per cent) and Los Angeles viewed in “Entourage” (10 per cent).

Walk your way to wellness

The trend for wellness getaways isn’t slowing down for 2018, with almost double the amount of people planning to take health and wellbeing trips in 2018 compared to 2017 (from one in 10 in 2017 to nearly one in five in 2018).

Health and wellness inspired activities high on the travel agenda in 2018 include visiting a spa or receiving beauty treatments (33 per cent), cycling (24 per cent), water sport activities (22 per cent), taking a full body detox holiday (17 per cent), going on a yoga retreat (16 per cent), running (16 per cent) and undertaking meditation/mindfulness (15 per cent). Embracing such experiences is popular with travellers, with 59 per cent saying they prioritise experiences over material items when on holiday.

Economic intuition

Every year, travellers are becoming savvier, especially when it comes to getting the most for their money. With significant numbers basing their travelling decisions on finance-related matters, 2018 will see travellers looking to be even more economically intuitive. Nearly half (47 per cent) will take currency exchange rates into consideration when planning their travels for the year, and almost the same amount (48 per cent) will think about the economic climate of a destination before making the decision to travel.

More confident to follow their own intuition, travellers are less obliged to follow the herd, with over half (57 per cent) wanting to do more independent travel in 2018, placing growing value on personalised endeavours, looking for the best deals and putting together their own packages – all with the help of apps and technology.

The great mate escape

The year 2018 is gearing up to be all about the group getaway. When asked who their 2018 travelling companions were likely to be, the segment with the biggest increase when compared to 2017, was travelling with a group of friends, increasing from 21 per cent to 25 per cent.

Mate’s escapes are the ultimate social time away from our everyday pressures, reducing stress and building connections with your friends. With the world only a click away it’s never been easier to find the perfect place to stay and explore with a large group of friends looking for adventure across every corner of the globe.

Friend-based getaways also have financial advantages as four in 10 (42 per cent) said that joint holidays with friends will allow them to stay in accommodation they wouldn’t be able to afford on their own.

Live like a local, not with one

In 2018, rental homes are going to be particularly popular – not just for travellers looking to stay in one, but also home owners who are thinking of inviting others to stay in their own abode. One in three travellers (33 per cent) say they’d prefer to stay in a holiday rental (a holiday home or apartment) over a hotel and one in five (21 per cent) would consider listing their home on a travel accommodation site.

When it comes to playing the role of a host, travellers reveal that it isn’t about having them there all the time. Travellers are keen to have a local experience and will look to hosts for their expertise, as a quarter of travellers say it will be important that their host has strong local knowledge about local food and places to visit (25 per cent), but travellers will want the flexibility to interact with hosts on their own terms.